IOSH cited in Parliament debate on work-related RTAs

21 June 2012

IOSH’s call for serious work-related road traffic accidents (RTAs) to be included in reporting was echoed by an MP in Westminster Hall yesterday (Wednesday 20 June).

Meg Munn, Labour and co-operative MP for Sheffield Heeley, raised the issue, quoting the Institution directly during a debate she led on the remit of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). She argued that road accidents should fall under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) and highlighted that people who drive for work – especially lorry drivers – should be screened for sleep apnoea.

Using statistics and information IOSH had provided on the topic, the MP said that on average, 11 people die each week from work-related driving. She also cited figures showing the proportion of RTAs in 2010 that were linked to people’s occupations – 24 per cent of serious injuries and 30 per cent of the total fatalities.

Andrew said: “We’ve been calling for this for a number of years, so it’s a real result to hear Meg Munn echoing our words.  This debate is yet another example of how IOSH is pulling its weight in Parliament.

“But we can’t stop and slap each other on the back just yet – we’ll continue to press for Government action on this.”

During the debate, Meg Munn MP quoted IOSH and said: “The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health argues that all work-related accidents, even those on public roads, should be included as a reporting requirement under regulations. It has repeatedly called for work-related road traffic accidents to be reportable and to be investigated by the HSE under RIDDOR.”

She also talked of the dangers of someone driving for work with undiagnosed sleep apnoea. The MP highlighted that the link between untreated obstructive sleep apnoea and RTAs was well established, saying that the rate amongst lorry drivers significantly higher than for the general population.

“The consequences of lorries crashing into people are horrific, as our constituents would testify, and I would like the Government seriously to consider the matter,” Meg Munn MP added in her speech.