Retail union Usdaw conference delegates said yesterday that cuts to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) showed Con-Dem ministers valued corporate profit over workers’ health.

West Yorkshire delegate Beverly O’Toole said: “We as the workers are becoming less important. This government sees health and safety inspections as a burden on business.

“Far from being a burden to the businesses those that are inspected are more successful and last longer into the future.”

Government cuts to local authorities’ health and safety inspections have affected 90 per cent of Usdaw-organised workplaces, she pointed out.

And she added: “This makes it more difficult for health and safety reps to carry out their work.”

Usdaw deputy general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “There have already been three reviews to health and safety law by this government and more damage has been done.

“We will do all we can to stop accidents at workplace.”