Enforcement 'vital' in reducing accident at work ratesRSS Feed

The threat of legal action is one of the single biggest factors in encouraging employers to cut the accident at work rate, according to the British Safety Council.

Neal Stone, director of policy and research, believes it is the consequences of not complying with the law, such as the threat of workplace accident claims, that makes employers change their practices.

"Enforcement is a major factor in encouraging employers to comply with health and safety law," he said.

It comes as concerns are raised about the ability of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to properly police workplaces.

The British Safety Council has suggested that the HSE will not be able to carry out inspections as regularly as it faces a 35 per cent drop in funding between now and 2015.

Mr Stone said the government needs to get the message out to businesses that health and safety remains a "top priority".

"They should encourage all employers to act responsibly and have the health and safety of their workforce key to everything that they do," he added.

Accident claims advice from Serious Law

Posted by M E Dixon

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