Commenting after the publication of the latest figures for workplace deaths, published on 30 June by the Health and Safety Executive, the Glasgow North MP warned against reading too much into the fall in workplace deaths during a recession.  

The HSE report showed that 151 people died at work between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010.  

Ann McKechin MP said: 

"It is of course welcome news that fewer people have died between April 2009 and March 2010 compared to previous years.

"This figure for fatal injury represents a continued decrease compared to pre-recession years; however, much of the decrease in fatal injury is likely to be attributable to the large fall in output through contraction of the economy and less work happening in UK workplaces.  

"For that reason, I would caution against any interpretation that we are seeing a sudden and unprovoked improvement in employer attitudes towards health and safety at work in the UK.  

"This fall in deaths, during a massive fall in economic output, must not be used to justify cutting back on vital health and safety procedures which exist to protect people from injury and save lives."   

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 

"The fall in the number of fatalities at work is very welcome, although it is mainly the result of far fewer people entering the workplace during the recession. 

"Every single one of these deaths is a tragedy for the family that has been left behind and we owe it to them to make sure that we stop these events happening to others.

"Politicians and the press should focus on preventing such deaths rather than talking about health and safety regulations being a burden. None of these deaths were a result of over-regulation or risk aversion. In most cases they were caused by basic health and safety precautions not being taken.  

"We must remember that these 151 deaths are less than one per cent of the number of premature deaths caused by work. We must do far more to reduce the terrible toll from occupational diseases such as cancers."

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• Click here for the link to the HSE release welcoming the reduction in deaths 

• Comparison from HSE statistics:
  • 2009/10 - 151 workers died
  • 2008/09 - 178 workers died
  • 2007/08 - 233 workers died
  • 2006/07 - 247 workers died
  • 2005/06 - 217 workers died
  • 2004/05 - 223 workers died

• The latest workplace fatalities statistics are available at HSE Statistics 

• Ann McKechin MP represents Glasgow North constituency, which covers the Maryhill area affected by the ICL Stockline Plastics disaster of 11 May 2004. The event led to a public inquiry and publication of the Gill Report which criticized both the company's lax attitude to health and safety procedures and the HSE's inspection regime.