Workers protest closure of HSE office

Hundreds of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) staff marched on London streets today to protest the closure of their office and fears workplace deaths and injuries will increase.

Members of Public and Commercial Services (PCS) and Prospect unions fear more people will die and be hurt on worksites under a decision to move their London office to Bootle in Liverpool.

PCS campaigns officer James Davies said 320 staff in policy, legal, communication and support sectors were earmarked for the move but less than 10 actually wanted to.

Many are now looking for new jobs.

PCS warned the move could result in key parts of the HSE being under-staffed and under-experienced for several years.

The protestors marched from Tate Modern this morning to the HSE headquarters to present a petition against the move to HSE Geoffrey Podger chief executive who was not there.

Mr Davies said the union wanted more people to sign the petition before they presented it to Mr Podger at a later date.

Mr Davies said: “The Work and Pensions Committee backed up our concerns last week that there will be a massive loss of skills and experience especially at a time when workplace injuries are on the increase.”

The protest coincided with Worldwide Workers Memorial Day and was to join up with a rally at City Hall.

Marchers called for zero tolerance of preventable workplace injuries and death, tougher regulations and more resources for the HSE.