Bathgate, 28th April.
Kirsteen Sullivan MP for Bathgate & Linlithgow has marked International Workers’ Memorial Day (28th April) by renewing her call for safer, more inclusive protective equipment for workers, drawing on the area’s industrial heritage and the enduring importance of workplace safety.
On Friday the 24th of April, a local remembrance event (photographed) took place in Balbardie Park where wreaths were laid, and a minute’s silence held. Balbardie Park, a former colliery turned greenspace, saw at least 23 deaths during its operation. As part of remembering the dead and fighting for the living, Ms Sullivan has vowed to continue working nationally to address modern workplace safety challenges, particularly the widespread problem of ill‑fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In Parliament, she has spoken out about how PPE that does not fit properly can increase risk, restrict movement, and fail to provide effective protection. Ms Sullivan introduced a bill requiring public sector PPE procurement to ensure any new PPE is truly fit-to-form. It is not expected to pass before Parliament prorogues.
Backed by the GMB and early adopters such as Hinkley Point C, JCB and BAE Systems, Ms Sullivan has been spearheading a parliamentary campaign for change. “PPE is often the last line of defence at work. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t protect. For too long, safety equipment has been designed around a narrow idea of who a ‘standard worker’ is. Changing that is not about comfort or convenience, it’s about preventing injuries and saving lives.” Ms Sullivan said.
“Inclusive PPE standards allow us to put safety, dignity and effectiveness at the heart of procurement whether that is for construction workers, emergency services, health service staff or industrial workers,” she said.
“That is how we turn remembrance into action.”
