This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6918532.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
HSE 'failing to probe accidents' | HSE 'failing to probe accidents' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The watchdog on workplace safety is failing to investigate hundreds of serious accidents every year because of a lack of funds, the BBC has been told. | |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should investigate all workplace deaths and accidents involving serious injury. | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should investigate all workplace deaths and accidents involving serious injury. |
BBC Radio 4's Face the Facts found more than 300 cases went unexamined last year. Inspectors told the programme the body was starved of government money. | BBC Radio 4's Face the Facts found more than 300 cases went unexamined last year. Inspectors told the programme the body was starved of government money. |
But the HSE denied it lacked the resources to investigate all cases. | But the HSE denied it lacked the resources to investigate all cases. |
'Financially strangled' | 'Financially strangled' |
On Thursday figures showed the number of workplace fatalities in the UK was at a five-year high. | On Thursday figures showed the number of workplace fatalities in the UK was at a five-year high. |
You could say that the HSE is a watchdog with its teeth filed down HSE inspector | You could say that the HSE is a watchdog with its teeth filed down HSE inspector |
Failure to investigate a case could mean that lessons might not be learned about how an accident happened or how to prevent it happening again. | Failure to investigate a case could mean that lessons might not be learned about how an accident happened or how to prevent it happening again. |
One unnamed inspector told the BBC: "[The HSE] is being hamstrung. It's being financially strangled by the government and isn't able to carry out the work that it's supposed to do. | One unnamed inspector told the BBC: "[The HSE] is being hamstrung. It's being financially strangled by the government and isn't able to carry out the work that it's supposed to do. |
"You could say that the HSE is a watchdog with its teeth filed down." | "You could say that the HSE is a watchdog with its teeth filed down." |
HSE chief executive Geoffrey Podger said it had investigated about 94% of all serious workplace accidents last year but denied it lacked the resources to deal with them all. | HSE chief executive Geoffrey Podger said it had investigated about 94% of all serious workplace accidents last year but denied it lacked the resources to deal with them all. |
Face the Facts is on BBC Radio 4 at 1230 BST on Friday. | Face the Facts is on BBC Radio 4 at 1230 BST on Friday. |