Andrew Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has announced £3 million of backing over three years for worker safety advisers (WSAs).
The results of a two-year trial of nine WSAs around the country showed that the involvement of WSAs improved the approach to and awareness of health and safety in small, non-unionised workplaces. The Health & Safety Commission (HSC) has been charged with developing proposals for the roll-out of the scheme.

The WSA Challenge Fund will target three key industries: construction, the retail sector and voluntary workers. The Fund's launch has been welcomed by both the HSC chair Bill Callaghan and the UCATT general secretary George Brumwell.

The announcement was made at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor