Marvin OnumonuThe Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) has called on the Government to increase funding for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The union backed the Hazards Campaign’s call for more investment, saying that cuts over several years have hit workplace safety inspections.
Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary at the TSSA, said: “Work-related ill-health is at an all-time high, a direct consequence of sustained cuts to health and safety resources.
“This situation is not only devastating for workers and their families, but it also harms the wider economy.
“The HSE plays a crucial role in keeping workplaces safe through inspections and enforcement.
“However, after years of cuts, the organisation is severely underfunded and under-resourced.”
Eslamdoust added: “There has been a dramatic decline in the number of inspections the HSE can carry out, seriously undermining its ability to protect workers.
“The government must recognise that properly funded health and safety enforcement is essential.
“Keeping people safe at work is a fundamental responsibility, and investing in the HSE is an investment in a healthy, productive workforce and a stronger economy.”
The comments come ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day, with the union highlighting the impact of cuts on health and safety standards.
