Review

That’s no accident!

UNEQUAL RISKS: ACCIDENTS AND SOCIAL POLICY
Allison Quick
Socialist Health Association, 1991, £3.50

Every day in Britain forty people die as the result of an accident. Accidents are the third largest cause of death before age 65, behind cardiovascular diseases and cancers, and survivors of accidents have a strong chance of suffering long term disability. Allison Quick shows that although data relating class, race and gender to accidents are hard to find, accidental death is one of the strongest examples of the health inequalities that persist in this country.

Poverty, unemployment, dangerous working conditions, bad housing, overcrowding and a poor environment all make accidents more likely. Quick shows clearly how government funding and legislation contribute to the level of accidents, and how present underfunding and lack of legislation are an indication of government priorities.

The report looks at how social polices could reduce accidents on roads, at work, and in homes, the places where accidents occur most. Each chapter considers current policies, who benefits and who loses. There are workable and well-researched proposals for changes local and national policy changes, resting on the socialist premise of equality for all.

Quick’s view is that the benefits of the current dangerous transport policy are felt mainly by fit, reasonably well off adults, usually men, who have access to almost unlimited road space at the expense of the less privileged, particularly children and old people.

There is evidence throughout the book of the negative effects of the weakened trade union movement, particularly in relation to accidents at work. The unions’ lack of initiative in preventive health and safety at work is also mentioned, and the report suggests that a better organised workforce is one of the most important factors in improving safety standards.

There are many kinds of accidents in the home, but all are more likely in situations of poverty, overcrowding, stress and poor physical environment. This is important for housing and welfare policy makers, considering the huge current increase in homelessness and temporary housing.

The report concludes that values need to change before long term changes. The decision to improve our safety record is a political one, involving the reduction of poverty, a sound economy, more concern for the well-being of workers and a socially and environmentally acceptable transport policy.