Are lives being risked by the recession?

5 months ago 27th May 09:34

People’s lives are being put at risk because many workers are too afraid to speak up to their bosses about health and safety issues. New research from the British Safety Council (BSC) shows 1 in 12 workers admit to feeling under pressure from their firm to take risks with people’s safety in order to save money. 1 in 10 says they’re now less likely to raise a health and safety concern with their boss given the current economic climate.

In 2007/08 non-existent or inferior health and safety measures in the workplace killed 229 men and women, costing industry £7.8 billion.

The survey also found that a small but significant number of organisations will also cut corners or take risks with health and safety to save time or money: around 11% of employers will be cutting back on health and safety training and consultants; 13% on informal training and 5% on equipment.

But it’s not all bad news! Around half of company directors in the UK would cut their bonuses before reducing expenditure on health and safety equipment and training, despite the difficult climate.

In this video, Sameena Khan from the BSC reflects on the study.

For more information on the study go to www.britishsafetycouncil.org