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MP receives another Award for Parliamentary Work

MP receives another Award for Parliamentary Work

24th September 2008

Michael Clapham MP for Barnsley West & Penistone has received a second Distinguished Service Award for his work in Parliament on Health & Safety. This time the Award is made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in recognition of his work to save lives and reduce injuries and ill health.

ROSPA recognises that the MP has played an important role in keeping the profile of health and safety high on the Parliamentary Agenda. It also identifies the role that he has played in the field of occupational health by ensuring just compensation for workers whose health has been affected by their jobs.

As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Occupational Safety & Health Group and joint Chair of the Fire Safety & Rescue Group, he has sought to foster links between health and safety organisations, MP’s and Peers.

In particular, he has worked tirelessly in ensuring compensation for Miners and Asbestos victims including Mesothelioma sufferers. In addition to establishing the Asbestos Sub Group as a Sub-Committee of the Occupational Safety & Health Group, he set up the Westminster Annual Asbestos Seminar.

Mr. Clapham told the Chronicle that "he was honoured to receive this second Award because it reflected the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group.

"Despite improvements that have been made over the period of the Labour Government there is still a long way to go. Last year there were 247 fatalities at work and 274,000 workers were seriously injured in the workplace. Another 2.2 million people considered that their health had been adversely affected by their workplace."