The Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) has suggested any reduction to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) budget may be dangerous.
Richard Jones, policy and technical director at the IOSH, made his comments in response to the news that the government office faces a 35 per cent reduction in its funding.
In his view, this could lead to more cases of ill health and deaths, particularly if inspectors are forced to spend too much time doing the work that a larger administration team would be able to cover.
"Cuts to the HSE don't just risk livelihoods, they risk the lives of the people we are trying to protect," said Mr Jones.
He claimed that budget cuts could cause a halt to the current pattern of falling numbers of work-related deaths and injuries.
IOSH member David Wilson recently suggested workplace health and safety issues need to be publicised more, in order to raise awareness.
Posted by Ross George
