Unite, the trade union, has welcomed the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) announcement that it has recruited 40 more inspectors but the UK's largest union believes the HSE needs more.

This move will bring the overall number of HSE inspectors to 720. Of the 40 inspectors recruited, 10 are construction specialists bringing the total of HSE construction inspectors dedicated to the industry to 134, as construction is one of the most dangerous industries where work-related ill health affects a significant number of workers.

-- Advertisement --

Bob Blackman, Unite National Officer, 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 workers' 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."

(CD)