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UCATT Calls For More Enforcement And Tougher Penalties As Construction Deaths Rise In Scotland

Research by construction union UCATT has discovered that construction deaths in Scotland increased last year.

In 2007/8 there were 11 fatalities on Scottish construction sites compared to 10 in 2006/7. The rise in deaths is particularly alarming because nationally construction deaths decreased slightly overall from 79 to 72 deaths during the same period.

Since 2002 the number of enforcement notices and prosecutions issued by the Health and Safety Executive has been declining. The decline in enforcement activity has been caused by budget cuts and a reduction in the number of frontline inspectors.

The industry has also become increasingly casualised, with a large increase in the number of workers supplied through employment agencies and Gangmasters. This has resulted in a large number of inexperienced workers being placed on construction sites.

Harry Frew, regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “Each one of those 11 deaths represents a tragedy for a family whose loved one never returned home. Sadly in the construction industry there remain far too many bosses who do not see health and safety as a priority. That attitude must be stamped out if we are going to substantially reduce fatalities in the future.”

Construction is the most dangerous occupation in Britain, analysis shows that nationally the most likely causes of deaths were: Fall from height (23 deaths), Hit by a moving or flying object (16), electrocution (10).

It is estimated that management failure is a contributory factor in at least 70 per cent of construction deaths. However only 30 per cent of companies are prosecuted following the death of a construction worker.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

Mendacious Insurance Industry Shows Its True Colours In Its Attempts To Block Justice For Pleural Plaques Victims

Construction union UCATT have warned that the insurance industry is making outrageous statements about Pleural Plaques in an attempt to avoid paying compensation to victims.

Last year the Law Lords overturned over 20 years of case law when they ruled that victims of pleural plaques (scarring of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos) should no longer be eligible for compensation. The Law Lords ruling is estimated to save the insurance industry over £1 billion in future compensation payments.

The Scottish Government are committed to overturning the Law Lords decision north of the border. In England and Wales the Government is currently consulting on a way forward on the issue.

Pleural Plaques develop 20 plus years after workers are subjected to heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Victims can suffer some physical symptoms. Due to victims having a greatly enhanced chance of developing the incurable lung cancer mesothelioma, sufferers often experience severe mental health issues. This can include, depression, anxiety, weight loss, obsessive-compulsive disorder (where victims try to wash the asbestos out of their body) and obsessive compulsive overeating (as they associate thinness with dying of cancer).

On Tuesday (September 2) five representatives of the insurance industries, all of whom owe their remuneration to the sector, appeared before the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee to give their views on the planned legislation.

Pamela Abernethy representing the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, claimed: “My submission would be that plaques are a good thing and do not cause harm.”

Nick Starling of the Association of British Insurers, said: “Pleural Plaques are benign. They do not have any symptoms associated with them, except in the most exceptional of cases.”

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “This hearing is the first example of the insurance industry baring their teeth. These claims by alleged experts are both inaccurate and offensive. In the course of our campaign to get the Law Lords decision overturned we have met a great many people whose lives have been blighted by this condition.”

It is understood by UCATT that the insurance industry is prepared to invest a great deal of money in opposing any attempts to have the Law Lords ruling overturned.

Mr Ritchie, added: “Working people were needlessly exposed to asbestos by bosses who knew the risks but were not concerned about their long term well-being. Pleural Plaques victims deserve justice and it is essential that the entire union movement is united and with the support of sympathetic MPs, we get the Law Lords decision overturned.”

In a Parliamentary debate about Pleural Plaques earlier this year Michael Clapham MP described the insurance industry as “jackals”.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT Scotland Back Jamieson And Lamont For Leadership

UCATT Scotland have nominated Cathy Jamieson MSP for leader of the Labour members of the Scottish Parliament and Johann Lamont MSP for deputy leader.

UCATT decided to back Ms Jamieson due to her long held support for the union movement, her opposition to the privatisation of public sector construction jobs and her past history of working closely with UCATT on employment issues.

Harry Frew, regional secretary of UCATT Scottish region, said: “Cathy has a long history of working with all the trade union movement, especially UCATT. It is essential that the next leader of the Scottish Labour Party understands the hopes and fears of working people.”

UCATT decided to support Johann Lamont for deputy due to her support for improved health and safety structures for construction workers and her recent work in ensuring a huge increase in construction apprenticeships in Glasgow.

The new leader and deputy leader will be announced on September 13.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT Welcomes Scottish Parliament’s Decision To Legislate On Pleural Plaques

Construction union UCATT have welcomed the confirmation from the Scottish Parliament that they will bring forward a Bill to allow victims of pleural plaques the right to receive compensation. The Bill is titled the Scottish Government Damages (asbestos- related conditions) Scotland Bill –

Harry Frew UCATT Scotland Regional Secretary, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has moved to overturn the ridiculous decision taken by the Law Lords. The Bill will once again allow workers to be compensated in the event of suffering from pleural plaques. We hope that all members of the Scottish Parliament support the Bill and it becomes law as soon as possible. 

Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Victims have a far higher likelihood of contracting the fatal lung cancer mesothelioma. Pleural plaque victims suffer both physical and mental trauma due to their injuries.

Mr Frew added: “Workers diagnosed with pleural plaques suffer the mental anguish of knowing that they have been given a potential death sentence.  We can only hope that the UK Government implements similar legislation to rewrite the disgraceful decision of the Law Lords.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235