STALINIST
THREATS
PRESS RELEASE
Release
dated: 20th October
2004
Embargoed
until: No embargo
Subject:
Gordon hits out at HSE “Stalinist” threats.
Gordon
Henderson has criticised a letter from the Health & Safety Executive, sent to
Swale’s farmers, which contained a threat that anyone who refused to accept its
“invitation” to a “Safety Awareness Day” would be targeted by HSE inspectors.
Gordon
explained:
‘The general
thrust of the letter might have been well intentioned, but, its tone is quite
deplorable and would not have been out of place in Stalinist Russia. The last
paragraph in particular is plainly a threat to target farmers who, for whatever
reason, were unable to attend the event.
‘The clear
inference that farmers who did not troop along to the Kent Showground, to be
lectured on what is blindingly obvious, are not interested in the health and
safety of themselves and their employees is both patronising and insulting.
‘All the
farmers that I know are fully committed to ensuring that safe working practices
are rigidly enforced on their farms. They take the welfare of their employees
extremely seriously. I am sure that some of them will have welcomed the
opportunity of a free lunch on public funds, but many more believe that they had
more important things to do with their time.
‘Health &
Safety at work is very important and I have no problem with the HSE organising
Safety Awareness Days and inviting farmers to attend. I don’t even mind them
spending my taxes on providing attendees with a lunch, if they think that will
encourage participation. However, I do draw the line at threatening farmers with
action if they decline that invitation.
‘I know that
we are increasingly living in a nanny state, what we don’t want is for our
country to turn into a Stalinist state.’
…ends…
Enc: copy of letter from HSE
Health & Safety Executive
Heather Sr/ani: HM Principal inspector
Ref: 203120105
The
contents of this are important
Dear
(Deleted
to protect recipient)
HEALTH SAFETY AT WORK ETC. ACT 1974
Every year many
people including employers, employees, the self employed and family members are
killed, injured or suffer ill health because of agricultural and horticultural
work activities. Most of this harm can be prevented.
To highlight the
risks and explain what can be done to prevent harm, the Health and Safety
Executive is working with LANTRA and local colleges to run Safety Awareness
Days. At these events farmers and others In the industry are taken through
various scenarios and receive valuable advice on how to protect both themselves
and others from the risks associated with work activities. There is time for
questions and to talk to fellow farmers and growers.
! am writing to
invite you to attend an event being held in your area on the morning of 13th
October 2004 at the Kent Pavilion at the Kent Showground. This is a free half
day event with lunch and refreshments provided.
The scenarios to
be covered at .the event include falls from height, manual handling,
maintenance, chemicals and workplace transport.
HSE inspectors
make visits to agricultural and horticultural premises to check on compliance
with the above Act. The Act applies to employers, employees and the
self-employed. These visits may be made without prior notice and in some cases,
result in enforcement action. Attending the event will give you a valuable
insight into the main hazards in your industry and the standards inspectors
expect to find.
Furthermore, if you do attend this
will reassure us that you are interested in taking positive steps to manage
health and safety at your workplace. We will also take your attendance into
consideration when deciding which premises to inspect over the next twelve
months. If you do not attend we will keep a record showing that you declined
the
opportunity.
Phoenix House,
23-25 Ca.nteiupe Road, East Grinstead. West Sussex,
RH19 3Bc
3 01342-334200
301342-334301 8
niki.benson@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Reducing risks
-
protecting people
LETTER