Workplace deaths remembered
A series of marches and vigils are being held across Britain today to mark international workers’ memorial day.
Organised by trade unions and other organisations, the memorials will pay their respects to those who have died working in the UK.
Events held today will include a memorial service at Ripon cathedral and a workers rally in central London calling for action on workplace health and safety.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will also be participating in memorial day activities, holding a service at the church of St James Garlickhythe in London.
Unions are using the occasion to call for the introduction of the corporate manslaughter bill that will allow manslaughter charges to be brought against organisations over the death of workers they employ. A draft bill has been drawn up but it is yet to be passed through parliament.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis, said: “One loss at work is too many yet hundreds of thousands of people die world-wide every year because of workplace hazards. In the past 10 years there have been 3 fatalities and over 10,000 reported injuries in the healthcare sector alone.
“This year’s theme is prevention and accountability and UNISON is calling for a new law on corporate killing, higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws, more inspectors and better rights for workplace safety reps. In short we want to stop employers getting away with murder.
Unions have also called for changes to the draft corporate manslaughter legislation, to make individual board members accountable for breaches in health and safety leading to the death of workers.”
