Polish construction workers encouraged to report poor working conditions to HSE

Date:

28 January 2009

Release No:

E012:09

Over 2.3 million people (including migrant workers) are employed by the UK's construction sector, making it one of the country's biggest industries. A recent survey indicates the largest single group of migrant workers is from Poland, accounting for 2% of the workforce.

Robert Rusiecki Embassy 1st Counsellor to the Polish Embassy said "migrant workers have a positive reputation in Great Britain (GB) and are providing an important source of labour. However it is easy for them to be exploited on British construction sites as they often have a limited knowledge of this country's health and safety system and many have never even heard of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). I welcome this HSE initiative aiming to improve Polish migrant workers working conditions."

Speaking from the Polish Embassy, Stephen Williams Chief Inspector of Construction said "HSE is not here to check on workers' legal or employment status and we do not pass any information about individuals on to other agencies. We just care about the health and safety of workers, and all workers, including those from abroad, should receive protection from the risks of their workplace. Any health and safety system must take account of individuals - a 'one size fits all' system is not sufficient."

HSE is ensuring that guidance is available for migrant workers, many construction publications have been translated for several years and we have undertaken outreach work in Polish communities to raise awareness. Mr Williams went on to say "my message to Polish and other migrant construction workers in Britain is the if conditions are poor where you work, and your health and safety is at risk as a result, you should have no fear in contacting HSE to report it."

Notes to editors

1. The HSE and its Board has overall responsibility for regulating health and safety at work in Great Britain, and HSE and Local Authorities are the enforcing authorities that work in support of the Board.  For more information on health and safety at work visit www.hse.gov.uk.
2. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all of his employees."
3. HSE publishes a full range of workplace health and safety statistics. These can be viewed at: hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm

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