Renew Focus Now on Health and Safety at Work

The Workers Union is urging government and business to focus on health and safety at work.

The announcement came after a rail worker was hit by a train between Surbiton and Weybridge.

The 30-year-old man was killed by the South Western Railway passenger service. Emergency responders were able to access the area after power to the tracks was switched off.

In a statement, the British Transport Police said: ‘This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the very sad death of a railway worker.

‘Our deepest condolences are with the man’s family who are being supported by specially trained officers.’

While the exact circumstances around the incident are unknown, the outcome will make grim reading for under-pressure rail chiefs. Last year the Office of Rail and Road – the non-ministerial department responsible for safety regulation of the railways – published its ‘Annual Assessment of Network Rail’, highlighting the need for ‘continued focus’ on health and safety.

The report said: ‘Two rail workers lost their lives in July 2019 and there has been a further fatality this year (2020), showing very clearly that more must be done. The industry must make sure it learns lessons to prevent this happening again.’

The Workers Union’s Focus on Health and Safety at Work

It would be wrong to jump to conclusions about the exact circumstances of this tragic affair. And yet there’s still a point to be made about the value of health and safety at work. It is imperative that employers, staff and line managers do everything they can to ensure that risks are managed.

Working people must feel like they are able to carry out their duties in a safe environment where the requisite precautions against accidents are part of the covenant between the business and its staff.  This is fundamental duty of care that should be of focused central concern to everyone.

The government has talked up the possibilities of raising standards now that the UK is outside the European Union. They must be sure to guard against excluding improvements in workplace safety from their plans.

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