Letter: Tories cut down on factory safety
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tories cut down on factory safety
Sir: The explosion at Albright and Wilson (report, 4 October) should focus public attention on changes being made by the Tory government to the inspection activities of the Health and Safety Executive.
On 17 July this year, the Department of Trade and Industry ran a deregulation seminar for the chemical industry. The GMB was there and heard government ministers beg industry to tell it what health and safety laws to get rid of. Yet in 1994, after one of the most searching reviews of health and safety legislation, the Government accepted a report showing there was no "unnecessary burden" placed on UK firms by such laws.
In March this year, the Government kicked out 85 of its most senior health and safety inspectors to save money. It also reorganised the whole of the Health and Safety Executive chemical division.
Encouraging "self-regulation" while restricting inspection activities only leads to the lives of workers and the public being put at risk. The Tories say that safety standards will be maintained. We can only expect that safety standards will fall.
NIGEL BRYSON
Director, Health and Environment, GMB
London SW19
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments