CWU seeks to preserve HSE's role

Communication workers' union CWU has insisted there must be no retreat by the HSE and local authorities from inspection, enforcement and prosecution.

The demand came in the union's response to a Health and Safety Commission (HSC) consultative document, Regulation and recognition - towards good performance in health and safety.

"If the government is serious about encouraging employers to take their health and safety responsibilities seriously, the HSE and local authorities must be provided with sufficient resources for a consistent inspection, enforcement and prosecution regime," said CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce. "Prosecutions need to be backed up with increased court penalties for employers who fail to discharge their health and safety obligations."

The union also wants to see a corporate killing law, statutory safety duties on directors, and more powers and protection for union safety reps.