HSE supports International Workers Memorial Day

E026:08 28 April 2008

International Workers' Memorial Day (Monday 28 April) is being commemorated to "remember the dead: fight for the living". This year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting the aims of the day by enhancing its multi-lingual migrant worker website to provide guidance for workers from overseas and their employers.

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the HSE said, "All workers have the right to work safely and without risk to their health. With 241 people dying at work last year and 790,000 injured or made ill due to poor standards of health and safety, it is of utmost importance that health and safety processes are in place to protect workers' lives. The website is a valuable tool for overseas workers and their employers and will help them to understand their roles and responsibilities under British health and safety law."

Migrant workers are employed in a wide range of industries, some of them high risk, and may encounter unfamiliar risks in their work. The working environment and workplace health and safety culture may be very different from those in their country of origin. These factors, particularly where there are also language difficulties, may lead to migrant workers being put at increased risk of accidents or ill-health.

The pages for workers have been translated into several languages, and are also available in English. Advice, guidance and sources of further information and help are accessible through page navigation and links to other relevant Government and non-Governmental agencies.

The HSE webpages on migrant worker health and safety can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/migrantworkers.

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