Construction union Ucatt used the findings to take the opportunity to call for more funding for the HSE. It said that “with further cuts in the HSE budget the safety watchdog will barely be able to function”.
Ucatt acting general secretary Brian Rye said: “This survey result is astonishing. What is the point of the HSE if they don’t inspect? Ucatt health and safety reps, shop stewards and convenors spend their working lives trying to protect British construction workers, the very least we could expect from our government is some support.”
Mr Rye added: “If there are effectively no health and safety inspections by the HSE then unscrupulous employers will neglect the safety of their workers, if it means they can save money. This Tory government’s wilful neglect of the British worker is tantamount to creating a wild west in the workplace – and we all know the consequences of such neglect will be injuries and maybe lives lost for construction workers. It is utterly shameful.”
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