Unions hit out over workplace virus safety
Union leaders are stepping up calls for more safety inspections in workplaces as indoor hospitality prepares to reopen.
The TUC said its analysis showsonlyonein171workplaces has had a safety or workers' rights inspection during the pandemic.
The union organisation saidthereisa"crisisofenforcement" that is risking workers' safety and is allowing bad bosses to get away with labour rights abuses.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Years of cuts to the Health and Safety Executive and under-resourcingofotherenforcement bodies left us vulnerable and ill-prepared for the pandemic.
"It's staggering that not a singleemployerhasbeenprosecuted for putting workers at risk of contracting Covid-19.
"The Government must fund enforcement bodies properly so they can recruit and train qualified workplace inspectors,inspectmoreworkplaces, and prosecute bad bosses who don't keep their workers safe."
An HSE spokesman said: "Over the past year, HSE has repeatedly demonstrated that making workplaces Covid-secureisanorganisationalpriority,usingpolicy,regulatoryand scientific capability and experiencetoprovidesupport,reassurance,protectionandwhere necessary, enforcement.
"The Government has providedadditionalfundingof£14 million to HSE to strengthen its capacity to tackle Covid-19.”
He added: "During this pandemic, we are facilitating swift responses by employers throughdirectpersuasion,advice and reprimand, not slower legal proceedings. We have foundthevastmajorityofbusinessesarewillingtomakenecessary changes promptly and without the need for enforcement notices.”