Temps face higher accident rates

Temporary workers have a higher risk of an accident at work than those on permanent contracts, according to research published by the London School of Economics (LSE).

The report, The hidden costs of fixed-term contracts: the impact on work accidents found that workers with fixed-term contracts "will have a higher probability of having an accident at the workplace."

The study, based on figures from Spain, shows that "having a fixed-term contract increases by about 4% to 7% the probability of having an accident."

The research confirms the findings of earlier studies from the UK and elsewhere which found higher rates of accidents and work-related health in workers without job security.

Communication workers' union CWU health and safety officer Steve Mann says: "This research confirms what the CWU has been saying for a long time. We cannot allow a two-tier process for looking after people at work. If employers are serious about reducing accidents at work they should give all workers decent contracts."

The report, Discussion Paper 551, is available at: http://cep.lse. ac.uk/pubs/download/dp0551.pdf