Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/734/15263
From The Socialist newspaper, 19 September 2012
Workers die on tower cranes - Con-Dems cut safety regulations
Jane James
There have been several recent protests about the number of workers who have died or been injured while working on tower cranes.
The UK is one of the worst countries for tower crane accidents with 60 crane accidents, nine deaths and 25 serious injuries to date.
The Battersea crane disaster in September 2006, when a tower crane collapsed, led to the death of two people.
The inquest revealed that the wrong manual was being used to erect the crane!
The Canary Wharf disaster in 2000 cost three lives.
The crane register was introduced to ensure that these cranes had regular MOTs but the Con-Dem government is carrying out the wishes of big building companies by tearing up health and safety guidelines, including stopping the crane MOTs.
These only cost the building industry £61,000 a year.
The government has declared that 'unnecessary' workplace safety regulations are a barrier to economic growth.
Trade unionists need to keep up the pressure to ensure that health and safety is not rolled back while fighting for a new workers' party which will campaign against deaths in the workplace.
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In The Socialist 19 September 2012:
Socialist Party news and analysis
We can beat Con-Dems' austerity
All forces to the point of attack against austerity
Cable launches new attack on workers' rights
Global warming: Capitalists skating on thin ice
International socialist news and analysis
Marikana miners remain defiant
Education
Stop the deportation of London Met students
Interview with NUS vice-president for union development
Socialist Party feature
Hillsborough disaster: Truth is out, now justice
Socialist Party workplace news
Sparks' picket blockades Crossrail site
Workers die on tower cranes - Con-Dems cut safety regulations
HMRC seeks to axe workers' childcare
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Save Oaklands Pool - "This is what we pay our council tax for!"
Salford: Uniting to save mental health services
Save Hampshire residential care homes
Stop the fire service cuts in West Yorkshire
NSSN supporter invited to address RMT
Socialist Party women
Slutwalk: there's NO excuse for rape
Sexism - a product of capitalism
Socialist Party review
Review: "From dole queue to corner and back again"
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