Can Budget Cuts Compromise Health & Safety?

The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Ireland`s leading professional health and safety organisation fears that budget cuts can compromise worker`s health and safety.

It is feared that companies will be looking to cut their expenses and their staff health and safety may be compromised. This can result in long working hours, lack of training, ageing equipment and subsequently in incidents and/or injuries.

IOSH asks managers to at least maintain health and safety standards and properly manage any changes in their workplaces.

Companies need to continue prioritising health and safety of their staff by ensuring that all members of staff are trained and competent, that risks have been assessed and control measures implemented.

43 people were killed while at work in Ireland in 2009 and 17,900 accidents were reported to the Health and Safety Authority (these are the once when employees were absent from work for more that three consecutive days as a result of work-related injury).

 Source: IOSH