Unite praises HSE announcement

Unite the union has welcomed the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) announcement that it has recruited 40 additional inspectors.

However, it believes the HSE needs to do more to ensure the safety of staff in the workplace.

Of the 40 new recruits, ten are construction specialists, bringing the number of inspectors dedicated to the industry to 134, while overall, the HSE now has 720.

Bob Blackman, Unite national officer, said the decision is a step in the right direction as construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, but added that further action needs to be taken.

"There must also be a change in enforcement with legally binding health and safety duties on senior managers and company directors as we believe only then will companies take health and safety seriously," he stated.

Unite is the largest union in the UK and is dedicated to improving its members' quality of life through campaigning and organising.