HSC chair highlights 'real' safety issues
November 1st 2007 New statistics published by the Health and Safety Commission reveal the real risks faced by real people, every day of their working lives and the suffering that occurs when health and safety processes fail. Last year more than 140 000 reported workplace accidents took place, resulting in employees suffering injuries such as amputations, chemical burns and fractures. Slamming critics who have repeatedly concentrated on 'elf and safety' stories and the regulator's role, new Chair of HSC Judith Hackitt says, "Never mind banning conkers or Christmas decorations, look at these figures, this is what real health and safety is all about." Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive says, "The statistics indicate that last year alone in Great Britain 2.2 million people suffered from work related illnesses and 241 people were killed at work. While workplace injuries have reduced, we lost 30 million working days due to ill-health. Last year HSE issued 20% more notices and industry was fined a total of more than £13 million for flaunting health and safety laws." Responding to the figures HSC Chair Judith Hackitt says, "Employers have a legal duty to protect their employees and visible leadership from the top of the organisation can truly influence the health and safety culture in our changing work environments. More articles from Health & Safety Executive: | 
