Recession pushing health and safety down the agenda

Companies are not paying as much attention to matters of health and safety as the recession takes its toll on businesses.

That is the belief of 62 per cent of employees questioned in a survey conducted by the National Accident Helpline.

The remaining 38 per cent of respondents said they believed their employer was as committed to health and safety issues as they ever were.

Commenting on the findings, John Campbell, legal director at the National Accident Helpline, said: "Investing time and money to make your workplace as safe as possible may seem less important due to a recession, but these figures show there is a financial incentive to do so."

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He went on to suggest that it was a "false economy" for companies to cut back on health and safety as the resultant lost man hours and sick pay could end up costing them more in the long run.

The Health and Safety Executive has announced that it will be launching a new campaign on February 23rd aimed at companies involved in property development.