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News release

6 October 2010 - NR 41/10

Don’t “shirk responsibility” for workers’ safety

David Cameron was today urged not to shirk responsibility for the safety of its own workers. Fears have been raised that the spending cuts will put public sector workers at risk.

Rob Strange, chief executive of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), said: “David Cameron has today told his party that the government ‘will not shirk responsibility’ in facing up to this country’s debts.

“He also said there will be things the government did that it will have to stop doing.

“Well, it’s absolutely vital that the Prime Minister and his cabinet don’t shirk responsibility when ensuring their own workers are not exposed to a greater risk of injury or stress as cut-backs are made.

“The one thing the government can’t stop doing is protecting the safety and well-being of its own employees – the nurses, police, refuse collectors, and civil servants – when making savings. Cutting costs cannot mean cutting corners when protecting people at work.”

IOSH is concerned that there are hidden dangers in tackling the economic deficit. It is calling on the government not to let the squeeze on budgets cost lives.

Mr Strange said: “We understand that cuts are necessary, but we are extremely concerned that the safety of both workers and members of the public will be forgotten as managers desperately try to balance their budgets."

IOSH believes that organisational changes - including reducing staffing levels, combining departments and changing people’s roles and responsibilities - can increase the risk of injury if they are not properly managed.

The Government’s own health and safety regulator, the HSE, warns of workplace dangers when organisations cut costs, including excessive working hours, ageing equipment and lack of training.

IOSH, the largest professional health and safety organisation in the UK, is calling on the government to ensure that any changes are properly managed across departments.

It wants the Government to heed its own advice and make cast-iron assurances that the safety and wellbeing of both public and private sector employees – and the general public – remain top priorities as its departments look to make savings.

It has provided the following guidelines to those considering where and how to cut costs:

• Assess the effect of proposed changes on the control of hazards in their workplace
• Ensure their department’s re-organisation leaves adequate levels of trained and competent staff in areas which can have a safety impact
• Make sure staff are kept fully abreast of organisational changes before, during and after they happen – and monitor their impact
• Provide training and support to staff with new or different roles

Mr Strange said: “We are not scaremongering. We feel we have to raise this issue now rather than wait until it is too late. We don’t want anyone to be injured or killed because managers were unaware of the consequence of their actions.

“In 2008/09, 178 people were killed at work and an estimated 246,000 were injured. By setting out clear advice to its managers about how savings can be made without putting people at greater risk of stress, injury and illness, the Government will avoid adding to this terrible toll.”

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.