The Hazards Campaign
is a network of
resource centres and campaigners
on health and safety at work
|
|
The Hazards Campaign
|
|
12 December 2007 - No embargo Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group wish the HSE a Merry Christmas and “more resources please” for the New Year - 8am-10am Thursday 13 December 2007 The Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group and supporters will be assembling at the offices of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS, at 8am on Thursday 13 December 2007 to wish the HSE a Merry Christmas and more resources in the New Year. The ongoing spate of crane fatalities, injuries and near misses plays its part in a climbing construction death toll, as well as devastating the lives of families affected by the carnage. The BCDAG believes that increased and effective funding of the HSE and a genuine enforcement approach to preventing deaths in the industry will save lives and improve safety in the industry. Liliana Alexa, Secretary of the BCDAG, said, “In some countries in the world a state inspector is present every time a crane comes on site. That’s what we’d like to see in Britain. The HSE urgently need more government resources to be able to keep the public safe.” The BCDAG is also disappointed at the refusal of the Strategic Forum for Construction Tower Crane Group, in its short term action plan released on 28th November 2007, to support the recommendation of the BCDAG for a central publicly available register of cranes as part of a strategy for improving the transparency and visibility of cranes used in the industry. The arguments by the industry for self-regulation and leadership by ‘best practice’ employers as the most effective approach to reducing fatalities and injuries is not supported by the evidence and one more worker killed is one too many. The BCDAG will continue to campaign for an industry that is properly regulated and for a regulatory agency that is properly funded. Ends For further information, contact Julia Brandreth julia@bwtuc.org.uk 07940 578219 Notes: In 2006/07,
a five year-high of 77 construction deaths was reached. So far in 2007/08,
there have been 28 deaths in just over 4 months, which if this trend continues
into the winter months implies that a new record will be set for construction
deaths this year. |
The Hazards Campaign,
c/o Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, Windrush Millennium Centre, 70
Alexandra Road, |