The TUC is to campaign for appropriate funding, increased staffing and decent pay awards for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Composite Motion C15: HSE resourcing was moved by Prospect and seconded by the NASUWT, and explains how government cuts have “substantially weakened” the HSE and that “It is struggling to effectively regulate as it should across many sectors, from construction and factories to major hazard installations.”

The number of inspectors has fallen substantially (to below 500), and there has been a sharp decline in inspection and enforcement activity since 2010. Salary stagnation means it is also more difficult for HSE to recruit and retain staff. More inspectors leave every year than HSE can recruit and train.

Moving the motion, Geoff Fletcher of Prospect highlighted how HSE’s budget has been cut by 60% between 2010 and 2020 and its total budget is now comparable to that of a small regional police force.

Jamie Newell from the FBU warned about how deregulation led to the Grenfell tragedy and emphasised the important role that HSE has in public safety.

Speaking for PCS, Katrine Williams said that the cuts to the HSE are “part of the wholesale attacks on jobs and resources across the whole of the civil service.”

She said:

“As well as chronic under-staffing, even more work has been piled on workers. It's impossible for our members to do everything. If the HSE has to stop work on the health at work protection programme, there will be an absolutely adverse impact on people with protected characteristics.”

Katrine mentioned the inspection carried out by the HSE at Quarry House in Leeds during the pandemic when “management there were absolutely hauled over the coals for failing to keep a few hundred workers in safe conditions in a building that can house thousands.”

She said:

“We need to fight tooth and nail for the enforcement bodies that tackle the unlawful actions of employers. We also recognise that our collective strength in workplaces is vital to tackling employers and safe working conditions. I give a massive shout out to every single health and safety rep and steward that's fought for health and safety protection for our members during the pandemic, and all those workers who took collective action to protect their rights, including our own members in PCS and DVLA.”

The TUC has called for:

• Appropriate funding for HSE.
• A substantial increase in staff capacity to deliver effective enforcement, policy making and scientific decision making.
• HSE staff to be appropriately rewarded for their vital work.
• A work and pensions select committee inquiry into the resourcing, work and independence of HSE.

The motion was passed unanimously.