Armstrong welcomes new EU strategy to reduce Accidents at Work
Ulster Unionist candidate for Mid- Ulster, Billy Armstrong has welcomed a new five year strategy for health and safety at work proposed by the European Commission. The strategy sets out a series of actions at European and national level including improving and simplifying existing health and safety laws and better identification and assessment of potential new accident risks in the workplace.
Billy said: “The need to improve working conditions is a collective concern, prompted by both humanitarian and economic considerations. A safe and healthy working environment is an essential element of the quality of work and applies to a factory environment or on the farm.
Every year there are many accidents at work in Northern Ireland and many of these could be avoided if proper health and safety precautions were adopted. It is estimated that every year in the EU there are 4 million accidents at work which represent enormous costs for the European economy. Improving the health and safety of workers is key to the EU’s growth and jobs agenda.
Loss of income due to absence from work costs European workers around one billion euros a year and employers face costs linked to sick pay , replacement of absent workers and loss of production. Small business account for some 82% of occupational injuries and 90% of fatal accidents at work. Industries such as construction, agriculture which are major employers in Northern Ireland have higher than average risks of workplace accidents.
Any measures which will improve the health and safety for workers is welcome and the strategy is not just confined to legislation but will provide information, guidance and promotion of a healthy working environment by paying particular attention to small and medium sized enterprises. Education, awareness, anticipation and improving people’s knowledge of risks are key elements of the strategy.”