UPDATE YOUR DETAILS AT www . gmb . org . uk
TY FIGHTBACK
It ’ s only by joining GMB , and gaining access to our UNIONLINE legal experts , that members can begin to claw back some kind of justice .
ON THE ROPES
Whether you work in construction , retail , security , a utility or the public sector , the resources that the government puts into looking after your health and safety , and your work environment , will have been cut . In some cases , drastically so .
This situation will worsen as the economy recovers , with less experienced workers entering the workplace and potentially suffering more serious injuries . We know that while the recorded number of fatalities is at an historic low , the underreporting of deaths and injuries hides the true scale of suffering and death .
This is the tip of the iceberg . GMB members have died at work due to the failings of their employers . Every GMB region has a number of cases each year where members have been hurt at work , suffering life-changing illnesses and injuries that lower their quality of life . Many never work again .
And yet stopping the accidents , removing hazards and preventing ill health would save the economy £ 14.2 billion . It would leave the need for austerity measures on the canvas . We know that good health is good business . The Health and Safety Executive has been promoting this for at least 15 years . GMB can prove that the presence of active health and safety reps halves the chances of serious injury at work . So it ’ s in everyone ’ s interest for GMB to have real punch when it comes to health , safety and the environment .
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GLOVES ARE ON It ’ s time to fight back against H & S cuts .
The GMB H & S scorecard
We know that the hidden costs – both human and economic – of mental and occupational health failings are severe …
142
50,000
1.2m 2.8m £ 14.2b
Recorded fatalities – but the true figure , from disease and stress , is much higher .
There are between 10,000 and 50,000 deaths from occupational disease each year – most due to cancer or heart disease . Asbestosrelated diseases account for 4,000 and rising .
Workers made ill by work each year .
Working days lost to illness .
The overall cost to the UK economy . www . gmb . org . uk 19