UNION leaders today called on the new Labour government at Westminster to build on the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and provide funding for enforcement to end workplace deaths.

The 1974 Act was the first legislation to mandate health and safety in all workplaces and the TUC marked its 50th anniversary calling for Labour to build on the Acts’s success and provide new money to end all work-related deaths.

The HSWA was introduced by then Employment Minister Barbara Castle in July 1974 and was followed in 1977 by the Safety Reps and Safety Committees Regulations, which gave rights to trade union safety reps to inspect workplaces.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “The Act made it a duty for every employer to protect the health and safety of staff. 

“Thousands of lives have been saved since then. It shows how valuable government can be when put at the service of working people.”

The TUC estimates there have been at least 14,000 fewer workplace fatalities since 1974, but claims a decade of Tory cuts to health and safety enforcement is endangering workers.

“All deaths, injuries, and illnesses at work are preventable. But workplace inspections and prosecutions have plummeted because of Conservative cuts,” Mr Nowak said.

Despite the progress made since the Act became law, Britain still averaged more than 100 work-related deaths each year for the past decade.

“We need fresh funding and fresh thinking. Government, unions and employers must work together to raise workplace safety to the next level.

“Every worker deserves to be safe, wherever they work and whatever they do,” Mr Nowak said.

Hazards Campaign chair Janet Newsham also called for more money for enforcement.

“The Act is still important, but it is toothless without more investment in the enforcement bodies. Health and safety should be seen as a social good in our society, not as a burden on business,” Ms Newsham said.

“Thousands of workers continue to be exposed to life-impacting diseases and those most vulnerable in the workplace continue to be placed at risk of harm.

“The Hazards Campaign Manifesto for a health and safety system fit for workers sets out the changes and priorities needed to keep the Act relevant,” Ms Newsham said.

The Hazards campaign manifesto can be found at hazardscampaign.org.uk