Amicus said the factory blast illustrated the need for funding

Amicus general secretary Danny Carrigan said an additional 50 inspectors were needed to deal with an upsurge in migrant and temporary agency workers.

He also said workers required better protection following "a tragic year" for workplace deaths.

The call followed May's fatal Stockline factory blast in Glasgow, which claimed the lives of nine people.

It coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Health and Safety Commission.

Five men and four women were killed and dozens were seriously injured in the Stockline blast on 11 May.

Worker protection

An investigation into the cause of the explosion has been continuing.

Mr Carrigan said there had been a year-on-year increase in workplace fatalities in Scotland since the turn of the century.

He added: "As we move towards the end of what has been a tragic year for the families of the nine workers who lost their lives in Maryhill, it is vital that there is more money for safety and not less.