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Last Updated: Monday, 8 November, 2004, 06:42 GMT
Funding plea over worker safety
Stockline Plastics factory blast site
Amicus said the factory blast illustrated the need for funding
A union has called for an increase in the number of health and safety inspectors in Scotland.

Amicus general secretary Danny Carrigan said an additional 50 inspectors were needed to deal with an upsurge in migrant and temporary agency workers.

He also said workers required better protection following "a tragic year" for workplace deaths.

The call followed May's fatal Stockline factory blast in Glasgow, which claimed the lives of nine people.

It coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Health and Safety Commission.

Five men and four women were killed and dozens were seriously injured in the Stockline blast on 11 May.

Worker protection

An investigation into the cause of the explosion has been continuing.

Mr Carrigan said there had been a year-on-year increase in workplace fatalities in Scotland since the turn of the century.

He added: "As we move towards the end of what has been a tragic year for the families of the nine workers who lost their lives in Maryhill, it is vital that there is more money for safety and not less.

"The UK Government has to demonstrate that it is interested in the safety of workers and any apparent move away from that would concern not only its traditional working support but also the thousands of new workers who look to Labour to protect them from exploitation."


SEE ALSO:
Worker safety 'being put at risk'
20 Oct 04 |  Scotland
Bid to curb building site deaths
30 Aug 04 |  Scotland
Blast firm to be given back site
21 Jul 04 |  Scotland
Fewer people killed at work
12 Dec 02 |  Scotland


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