Risk news

The Employment Agency Standards inspectorate have warned 11 employment agencies after they advertised for asbestos removal workers without checking the impact this could have regarding health and safety.

Inspectors found that while no workers had been placed, the agencies did not take steps to prevent risk to them and there were no Health and Safety Executive (HSE) licenses in place.

Under a new government campaign, the workplace rights of agency workers are being highlighted and a confidential helpline has been set up for people concerned about the abuse of these rights.

In the 12 agencies, 57 infringements of law were identified including failing to check the experience, training, identity and qualifications of the workers they intended to supply.

Lord Young said: "The recession should not become an excuse to deny people their basic rights at work."

The HSE recently launched its Asbestos - Hidden Killer campaign, to highlight that asbestos-related diseases remain the biggest workplace killer, although some people think the dangers of the fibres are in the past.