Minister urges bosses not to neglect health and safety during recession

With the UK currently going through one of the most severe economic downturns in recent times, there is understandably even greater pressure on company bosses to run their business as profitably as possible.  However the pressures on businesses should not be an excuse to cut corners when it comes to the health and safety of their workforce.   Health and safety minister Lord Mckenzie has warned employers that the consequences of neglecting health and safety will be in his words, “severe.”

Speaking at last month’s International Occupational Health and Safety conference in Liverpool, Lord Mckenzie went on to say that, “the HSE and its inspectors will not weaken their position on health and safety.  Skimping on health and safety is wrong – the financial and reputation consequences can be severe.”  He stressed that whilst managers and employers may be looking to reduce the costs of business given the current economic climate, they should not target something as important as their health and safety budget.  His calls echo similar statements made recently by the Health and Safety Executive and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

With thousands of successful compensation claims made against companies for accidents involving both members of the public and their own employees, Camps Solicitors has seen at first hand the results of poor health and safety procedures.  Every year our solicitors deal with many claims for people who have been injured in accidents whilst they have been at work, or whilst they have been visiting a private premises.  The injuries our clients suffer range from trips and slips due to lax cleaning and maintenance procedures, up to life threatening injuries and even in some unfortunate cases, fatal accidents.

If these accidents have been the result of poor health and safety procedures, then we can help the victims or their families to pursue a claim for compensation against those responsible for the accident.  Whether it was a floor that was not kept clean, a training session that was not given, or a piece of equipment that was not properly maintained, we will discover the cause of the accident and use this evidence to push for our client or clients to receive the maximum possible compensation.

Had an accident at work, or whilst visiting a workplace?  Think it may have been due to poor health and safety procedures?  Then Camps Solicitors can help.  Call now on 0800 092 8586 for a free initial consultation with on of our legal staff.