Unite: HSE recruitment drive does not go far enough

A leading union has urged the government to step-up its recruitment of 40 new health and safety inspectors because only 10 are construction experts.

Unite said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) needed more construction experts to lower death rates and respond to parliamentary criticisms that the organisation is inadequately staffed.

Earlier this month a report by the Work and Pensions select committee called for more front-line health and safety inspectors, more frequent site visits, bigger fines and more prosecutions, after finding businesses were likely to have an HSE inspection once every 14.5 years.

The HSE then announced it would recruit 40 new inspectors, bringing the total number to 720, with 10 of these construction experts.

Unite national officer Bob Blackman said: “Construction is one of the most dangerous working environments in the land, so it is right that the HSE is placing great emphasis on increased inspection resources.

“This is a positive step to protect worker’s health and safety but the HSE needs more inspectors. There must also be a change in enforcement with legally binding health and safety duties on senior managers and company directors as we believe only then will companies take health and safety seriously.”