The Labour party has reacted angrily to new health and safety legislation which will mean workers having to prove their employer was directly to blame for their accident before compensation will be paid out.
The government claims its new measures, which will amend existing health and safety laws by watering down employers’ liability for accidents, will achieve the aim of cutting back on red tape and put an end to the current situation which often sees companies having to pay out for “spurious” personal injury claims. It comes amid new figures, released by the Health and Safety Executive, which show that 173 people died as a result of workplace accidents last year and another 22,433 were seriously injured.
A review into the matter was published earlier this year, which recommended the removal of strict liability in such cases, namely a situation where firms are liable for injuries regardless of negligence if certain health and safety rules have been breached.
Business minister Matthew Hancock said the fear of being sued has led to companies exceeding what is required by criminal law and is diverting them from concentrating on sensible preventative health and safety management. However, unions say the moves will lead to increased litigation costs, will affect safety standards in the workplace and will make it more difficult for workers to claim compensation. Labour has also claimed the proposals were sneaked through at the last possible moment after the legislation had been through committee.
