HSE Lends Helping Hand to Migrant Workers in London
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has started a special initiative to educate migrant construction workers about British health and safety rules that can protect them from exploitation and negligence.
The programme will first target the migrant Polish workers in London. The other two migrant labour communities being covered in this scheme are the Romanians and the newly arrived Indian workers.
Research conducted by professional agencies like Synovate has shown the migrant workers are ignorant about the official health standards stipulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the
In the first phase of the campaign, the Polish workers are being educated about their rights. Under the British law, these workers have the same rights as local workers. The HSE has recruited Polish outreach workers to get their message across easily.
Furthermore, handouts and brochures elucidating the health and safety standards and the worker’s rights have been published in Polish and other languages. Wallet-sized cards printed in native languages are being provided to nearly thirty thousand workers. Apart from these, a dedicated phone line, a website and an e-mail address have been provided to the workers for information and support.
The HSE is hoping these measures would lead to better work conditions and fewer accidents. Training can be provided by reputable companies, such as Workplace Law; their range of accredited NEBOSH Courses can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures for all kinds of workplace situations.