Trades Union Congress -

The project met the aims as described in the project proposals. The project ran according to the agreed milestones and it was not necessary to change any of the aims and objectives during the course of the work.

Body mapping course materials

A first draft of the course materials was developed during October - November 2000, and used for two tutor briefings from 4-6 December 2000, and 6-8 December 2000 (see Appendix 1 for the programme). The tutor briefings took place at the TUC National Education Centre. Tutor feedback was taken into account and a body mapping course workbook was finalised by the end of December 2000. The workbook was printed by the TUC and student quantities were dispatched to TUC Studies Centres at the beginning of January 2001.

The activities and resources in the workbook were used selectively with 215 safety reps, by a total of eighteen tutors on 18 core TUC Health and Safety courses that are listed below. Structured feedback on the materials was gathered from the participants and tutors using evaluation forms (see Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 for evaluation forms).

Amendments have been made to the body mapping workbook in light of the feedback. The amended workbook has been posted on TUC learnOnline for tutors to use selectively on all TUC health and safety courses or as a special short course. It is probable that further changes will be made when the TUC finalises its body mapping brochure in 2001/early2002.

Location and type of course where materials were piloted

TUC Health and Safety Stage 1

Name of college	Tutor	Number of participants
Cornwall	John Terry	17
West Kent	Frank Crompton	15
Gloscat	Anne Hancock	06
Mackworth	Sheila Burnage	13
Sheffield	Naomi Brent	17
Bradford	Derek Howl	12
	Total participants	80

TUC Health and Safety Stage 2

Name of college	Tutor	Number of participants
NE London (CONEL)	Jonathan Jefferies	15
South Notts	Sara Townsend	20
Gloscat	Doreen Knight	14
Lewes	Rob Hancock	10
Plymouth	John Terry	09
	Total participants	68

TUC Certificate in Health and Safety

Name of college	Tutor	Number of participants
Solihull	Heather Stretton	10
Tameside	Kevin Duffy	08
Dunstable	Mushtaq Arain	11
South Thames	Graham Petersen	10
Stow (Glasgow)	George Waldron	11
	Total participants	50

TUC Short Courses (3 days)

Name of college	Tutor	Name of course	Number of participants
Gloscat (Swindon)	David James	Body Mapping short course	08
Sheffield	Naomi Brent	GMB Health and Safety Induction	09
		Total participants	17

Evaluation

Evaluation plan in the project proposal

The evaluation plan has been followed using:

· collective feedback from the safety reps to the tutors

· evaluation forms filled in by tutors and safety reps

· a follow up of a sample of safety reps three months after their course

Course design, tutor involvement and tutor feedback

The materials were designed with full involvement of TUC tutors through a discussion area on TUC learnOnline and through two tutor briefings. In addition, extensive feedback was obtained from tutors following the piloting of the materials. Some of the contributions have been summarised below. The feedback in all cases was positive. Course materials have been adapted to take account of the feedback.

Evaluation by the participants

Participants completed course evaluation forms and some of the contributions have been summarised below. In nearly all cases, feedback from participants and their members was most positive. Participants were asked to grade the body mapping course materials on a scale which included 'excellent'; 'very good'; 'good'; 'average' and 'poor'. The results were as follows:

· Excellent = 46%

· Very good = 24%

· Good = 30%

There were no responses grading the materials as 'average' or 'poor.'

One tutor devised her own evaluation forms for 13 participants which asked them to grade the materials on a scale which included 'very useful,' 'useful' and 'not useful.' 100% concluded that the materials were 'very useful.'

Analysis of body mapping by participants and tutors

Body mapping as a method

The comments below are derived from tutors and participants’ feedback.

Strengths

· language is not a problem, 'great for equal opportunities'

· a useful and practical diagnostic tool, highlighting areas for further investigation

· systematic

· useful to have graphics

· good visual aid

· easy to use and enjoyable

· user friendly

· simple but effective

· silhouette body maps are practical tools

· highlights trends

· members willing to use it and happy to co-operate

· raises members’ awareness and values the membership

· easier than physically asking members what is wrong with them

· members open up more

· can gain trust of the members and improves communications

· raises safety rep’s profile with members and useful for recruitment

· encourages discussion about ill health at work

· finding health problems that are not immediately apparent

· a good way to establish problems when used in conjunction with other methods

· excellent to obtain general picture of health in the workplace

· excellent means of identifying common patterns of health problems

· a pattern emerges after just 2 or 3 mappings

· encourages discussion of a wider range of health and safety issues

· members are more involved, are listened to and participate in union action

· can learn from others

· good publicity for the union

· highlights areas of the workplace causing injuries

· helps to work out changes needed

· adds strength for getting improvements

· useful tool for negotiation, backed up by information

Weaknesses/issues for consideration

· the time needed to conduct the exercise thoroughly and effectively

· how seriously it is taken by members. Is it treated in a humorous/flippant way?

· can be seen as intrusive, too personal and may cause some members embarrassment

· some members would not participate until the key was redesigned

· suspicious managers acting in an obstructive way

· some negative responses from OH&S Director ' could lead to encouragement of injury claims'

· survey fatigue from members

· care to be taken to ensure that the results are confidential and cannot be used by management to penalise members (sickness/absence monitoring etc.)

Conclusions to be drawn about the method

Body mapping has been an overwhelming success during the pilots. As described by one tutor, 'it is an extremely fruitful way of uncovering health problems.' And by another tutor 'a useful additional tool for safety reps.' A participant stated 'the format can be adapted locally to differentiate between the wide range of literacy skills that may be present in the workplace, therefore making the strategy available to all members without fear of intimidation.'

In order to ensure that the method is enhanced, suggestions from tutors and participants included:

· facilitate anonymity for those requiring it - no names; envelopes supplied etc

· provision of clear union guidance on time off for safety reps to arrange and conduct body mapping

· provision of TUC guidance for employers introducing the concept of body mapping, its uses and benefits to employers. The support and backing of management will help safety reps

· HSE should publicise the method and endorse it as part of the 'securing health together strategy'

· the best results can be obtained when the safety rep acts as a facilitator with members

· safety rep skills and confidence need to be developed for the method to be successful

· the way that it is done is crucial. It should be done as an active session with groups of members

· try using body mapping at different times of the day/shift, as there may be a completely different response at the end of the shift

· links should be made to other safety rep activities, such as inspecting, contributing their ideas to the risk assessment process etc.

· action must be taken on the results, otherwise members will see it as a useless exercise

· members should be involved in the action planning following the mapping

Body mapping course materials

Detailed comments about each activity are not reproduced here, but have been taken into account in the revision of the materials. Most of the feedback on the activities and resources was positive. Some more general comments from the tutors and participants’ are listed below.

Strengths

· adequate and useful

· materials led to a comfortable, trusting, serious discussion including regulations about pregnant women and men’s reproductive problems

· well written and appropriate

· useful and worthwhile

· the overall pack is useful in the way it helps to focus upon what body mapping can achieve

· very good for the purpose. Page 3 is crucial. An excellent set of materials

· all activities useful

· fun and different

· reps impressed by the technique and enjoyed doing it

· positive response to the materials

· the materials generated substantial discussion

· materials fine for dipping into

· simple idea of dots on the body makes it easy to use

· very good and simple

Weaknesses/issues for consideration

· language needs to be checked out. For example, can reproductive problems be identified through body mapping?

· reproductive problems were an issue for some ethnic minority women. They would not participate until we had redesigned the key areas

· the rep should decide the key for body mapping to make it effective in their workplace

· common and medical terms are mixed up

· uniformity of colours needed

· should maps say 'occupational health problems?'

· need materials in the pack for management, including a model letter introducing body mapping

· occupational health services workplace activity needs to be followed up with a classroom activity and resource materials

· consider electronic body mapping materials

· consider moving the pre course activity to Workplace Activity 1

Action required on the body mapping materials

Activity	Response	Action required
Pre-course	Favourable	· Word more clearly · Tutor note indicating that this could be done as WA No. 1 · Pro forma worksheet · Add letter to management in tutor note
Introductions	Favourable	Nil
Ways of identifying ill health	Favourable	· Make worksheet clearer · Tutor note indicating it could as whole group exercise
Identifying body parts	Good fun. Humour and ice breaker	· More back up materials on the body required · Tutor notes to emphasise that it is not the job of reps to diagnose
Body mapping	Favourable	· Reconsider the 4 categories and colours (particularly reproduction) · Are 'fiddly' stickers necessary? · Language to be checked over by medical person · Ensure compatibility with TUC 'glossy' brochure
TU approach	Essential activity to prepare the rep for workplace mapping	Nil
Workplace Activity - body mapping	Favourable	· Ensure reps prepared for time involved
Report back on body mapping	Favourable	Nil
Work-related ill health in more detail	Favourable	· Reps debate whether some conditions caused by work
Using the internet	Favourable	Nil
Hazard mapping and Workplace Activity 2	Favourable	· Provide examples from reps in the pilot
Employers’ policies and Workplace Activity 3	Favourable	· Provide new feedback activity · Add new resources on OH&S services · Refer to web site for prescribed diseases
Report on hazard mapping and prioritising	Favourable	· OHT hazard map in tutor notes
Your world mapping	Not used	Retain
Priority problems identified by members	Favourable	Nil
Action planning	Favourable	Nil
Evaluation	Favourable	Nil
Resources	Favourable	· Provide all materials including extra resources on learnOnline. Will mean obtaining PDFs. · New occupational health services and body parts resources needed
Tutor notes		· Emphasise Page 3 of materials · Indicate how materials could be used on core courses
Other		· Post up materials in June 2001. Finalise Sept 2001 after TUC 'glossy' agreed

Action taken by reps using body mapping

During the course - a selection of reps’ views

All participants tried body mapping in their workplaces. Many safety reps identified health problems using the maps with their members. Some of the actions that safety reps took as a result of body mapping are listed below:

· raised the findings at the safety committee

· findings used as a negotiating tool for improvements

· used as evidence with management

· new chairs now ordered to deal with the back pain that had been identified

· requested a change in procedures and new risk assessments

· we are hoping to integrate this method into our health and safety department

· we will be using this regularly in the future

· we have used body maps with the DSE and other risk assessments, and have placed the findings on the agenda of the safety committee in June 2001

· the working area has now been redesigned

· going to use it across the whole factory

· we are going to review in 12 months to see if there have been any changes

· bringing the body mapping analysis to management’s attention to show the underlying problems that have previously been unnoticed

· we are going to do more extensive body mapping, as management were responsive to the initial smaller survey

· I conducted a body mapping survey which highlighted unrecognised problems

During the course - a selection of tutors’ views

· 'I feel that the techniques may provide an extremely fruitful way of uncovering health problems. For example, one rep who I have known for 6 months and had many fascinating discussions with, mentioned something that had never come out before. She said that in her workplace (a care home), it was commonly accepted that if you worked there for about 5 years you would need a hysterectomy because manual handling was so bad. I think that body mapping has the double benefit of enabling reps to spot themes and at the same time stopping members taking such things for granted.'

· Several reps used it as a tool for making improvements. 8 out of 10 said that they will use body mapping as a result of the course. 3 reps are trying to get it implemented council/plant wide

· It encouraged reps to speak to members and pick up issues they were not expecting

· The pilot has now turned into workplace body mapping with other groups of workers

· 2 reps did body mapping as an assignment. One is now taking up stress as it was a major finding in the body mapping activity. 3 reps are bringing up WRULDs at the next safety committee meeting as a result

· All the reps on the course tried it out and reported back. Some are planning to use it as an ongoing method of obtaining members’ views

· Reps are now approaching their union for a 3 day body mapping course

· In several cases, body mapping led to further action by reps and employers. Some examples were, training programmes established, new equipment purchased, and general dialogue initiated

Examples of body mapping action during the courses

Example 1

A rep did a body mapping exercise as an assignment on the TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. She called an informal meeting which all members attended, except one person who was on sick leave. Body maps and felt pens were provided. The information gathered from the body mapping session was converted into bar charts and displayed on the union notice board.

The findings will be taken to management at the next Health and Safety Committee meeting. The rep wants management to look into high stress levels that have been highlighted. She thinks that stress is contributing to the high levels of headaches, tummy upsets and neck/shoulder tension. She is also of the view that, lighting, DSE and ventilation are contributing.

She plans to take body mapping further by requesting:

· a UNISON one day body mapping course for all safety reps

· a local authority body mapping week

Example 2

¨ A rep from the ambulance service ran the activities with three different groups - workshop, office and road crew. The members enjoyed doing the maps, and in each case identified common health problems. The members discussed the findings, and the rep then wrote notes in the columns. The rep has agreed to raise the issues with managers, and ask for additional risk assessments

¨ A rep from a 'traditional' engineering company ran the activity with a small group of women members doing similar work, but using different equipment. One of the main findings here was that the one member who used a particular 'old' tech process had more pronounced adverse health effects than her colleagues. They decided as a group to push for a new RA, with the emphasis on safe systems and ergonomics

¨ A rep from residential social services ran the Body Map with a small group of members, which led to an interesting observation - that they each were gaining excessive weight, they determined was mainly a result of irregular work patterns - shifts, long hours, challenging clients

Example 3

A rep did a body mapping exercise as an assignment on the TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety course. A number of individuals were asked to volunteer to take part in a body mapping exercise, using the materials provided in the pack. Group 1 consisted of a set of cleaners from an evening shift. Group 2 was a set of teachers. Group 3 was janitorial and catering staff

· For Group 1, it was found that a cluster of red (soreness/pains/aches) in the wrists and lower back. Until the cleaning services were privatised, it had been the practice that either a buffer was kept on each floor and in each hut, or it was lifted up/down by 2 cleaners or a cleaner and a janitor. The present practice is that there are fewer machines which leads to more physical movement and the bumping down stairs of the machine at certain times, sometimes by one cleaner. The cleaning staff are presenting a document to their area supervisor with a view to a risk assessment being undertaken

· For Group 2, a cluster was occurring for wrist pain, eyestrain and lower back pain. It was suggested that this was due to the increased use of computers. Since they were not regarded as essential VDU operators they were using a shared workstation with corresponding problems in ergonomic design and no time limitations. Advisory notes, wrist pads and an adjustable chair are now going to be provided

· For Group3, catering staff complained of lower leg tiredness and aching, and janitors from tiredness, general aches and headaches. Reallocation of jobs is taking place in the canteen, so that all staff get a break from constant standing tasks. Janitors are using a timetable to track jobs with a view to distributing the load over a week

Example 4

A rep did a body mapping exercise as a project on a TUC Health and Safety Stage 2 course. He works in a factory manufacturing and packing toiletries. He chose a line with 5 workers where the same job is done and rarely changes. The rep met with the workers and gave them three different coloured stickers for each of the three main jobs on the line. He also constructed a hazard map of the line.

He collated the results and found:

· upper back and neck problems with stacking

· upper back, arms and wrist aches with traying off

Short-term measures have been introduced, e.g. job rotation, whilst more permanent preventive measures are pursued. Management does not feel that body mapping should be used as a significant tool in the workplace, although the rep is still keen to use it as a guide. He states, that since the project far more staff have come to see him and have raised issues for him to tackle.

Follow up of the impact of body mapping in the workplace

Introduction

Just over 10% (25 people in total) of the safety reps involved in the pilots were asked to fill in a questionnaire (See Appendix 4 for the questionnaire) in June 2001, so that the impact of body mapping in the workplace could be followed up further. 5 of the 25 safety reps who returned the questionnaire were then contacted by telephone to find out more information.

About the respondents to the impact questionnaire

32% of the respondents were women. Just under half (44%) were UNISON safety reps and around two thirds (68%) worked in the public sector. 52% had been safety reps for 1-5 years and 48% had been safety reps for over 5 years. Around one-third (32%) worked in workplaces with less than 100 workers.

Safety rep training received

All respondents had attended the TUC Health and Safety Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses and over two thirds (68%) had attended or were attending the TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Previous use of body mapping techniques

Three quarters of the respondents (76%) had not used body mapping before it was introduced to them on the pilot courses.

Overall assessment of the body mapping materials used on the course

16% of the respondents said that the course materials were 'excellent', whilst 60% said that they were 'very good', and 24% said that the materials were 'good'. None of the respondents said that the materials were either average or poor.

Improvement to the body mapping materials

60% said that in their opinion the body mapping materials could not be improved. 40% said that the materials could be improved and their suggestions are combined in the list below:

Reporting and Statistics

Use more medical/accident/injury statistics to look at with mapping

· You could include more statistics in the pack about other work related illnesses

· More information on how body mapping could be incorporated into existing incident/accident reporting procedures

Materials

· Laminated diagrams

· Printed handouts/leaflets to pass on to members

· Posters to explain/advertise for notice boards in the workplace

· Standardisation of colours/symbols used on mapping

· Charts and also standard description of problems

· Shade areas rather than dots

· There is a need to ensure that materials are available in sufficient quantities

· Overheads and videos may well be an advantage when briefing members before carrying out a body mapping exercise

· More stickers to be provided

· Larger body maps

· More colours needed, one for each area

· Stress should be one colour

Methods

· Simplicity of utmost importance

· Pre-course activity is misplaced. It should be done after the induction

· Advise to be done on a one to one basis

· Important to give guidance

· Clearer instructions for rep

· Training essential for reps before carrying out the exercise

· Open to misuse

· There are always comedians at work. You must be careful not to let that cloud the issue

Length of course

· A longer course is needed

Use of body mapping in the workplace

Following the introduction of body mapping techniques on the pilot TUC course, over four out of five (84%) used the techniques in the workplace. Another 12% were about to use body mapping.

Numbers of members participating and their response

The response from members and other union reps was described as follows:

Excellent - 15%

Very good - 25%

Good - 35%

Average - 20%

Poor - 5%

This is very encouraging, with the response from three out of every four members ranging from 'excellent' to 'good.'

The numbers of members that the safety reps involved in the exercise were:

1-5 members- 9%

6-10 members - 30%

11-15 members - 9%

16-20 members - 17%

More than 20 members - 35%

Response from management

The response from management was described as follows:

Very good - 19%

Good - 19%

Average - 43%

Poor - 19%

This a disappointing response, with the response from more than six out of ten managers ranging from only 'average' to 'poor'. However, whilst the responses from management were not as good as hoped, the fact that managers reacted to the safety reps’ findings from the body mapping, and in many cases took action as a result, is more encouraging.

Body mapping techniques and activities as a safety rep

Respondents were asked the extent to which body mapping had helped them in their activities as a safety rep.

1=Extremely helpful; 2=Helped a lot; 3=Of some help; 4=Of little help; 5 =Of no help

· Representing the health and safety interests of members/workers

1 = 32% 2 = 44% 3 = 12% 4 = 8% 5 = 4%

· Investigating health and safety complaints from members/workers & raising awareness

1 = 16% 2 = 48% 3 = 36% 4 5

· Investigating hazards in the workplace

1 = 28% 2 = 24% 3 = 36% 4 = 8% 5 = 4%

· Inspecting the workplace

1 = 4% 2 = 36% 3 = 32% 4 = 16% 5 = 8%

· Investigating accidents, dangerous occurrences, ill health & encouraging reporting

1 = 28% 2 = 28% 3 = 28% 4 = 12% 5 = 4%

· Finding and using health and safety information

1 = 8% 2 = 48% 3 = 32% 4 =4% 5 = 8%

· Receiving information from, and being consulted by management/employer

1 = 4% 2 = 36% 3 = 16% 4 = 32% 5 = 8%

· Making representations to management/employer on behalf of members/workers

1 = 28% 2 = 28% 3 = 36% 4 = 4% 5 = 4%

· Persuading management/employer to find solutions/resolve health and safety problems

1 = 12% 2 = 40% 3 = 40% 4 = 4% 5 =4%

· Participating in the risk assessment process

1 = 16% 2 = 40% 3 = 28% 4 = 12% 5 = 4%

· Participating in health and safety committees

1 = 24% 2 = 20% 3 = 36% 4 = 16% 5 = 4%

· Representing members in consultation with health and safety inspectors and 'experts'

1 = 16% 2 = 28% 3 = 40% 4 = 4% 5 = 12%

When the percentages of 'extremely helpful', 'helped a lot', and 'of some help' are combined, it appears that body mapping is the most helpful for the following functions of a safety representative:

· representing the health and safety interests of members/workers (88%)

· Investigating health and safety complaints from members/workers & raising awareness (100%)

· investigating hazards in the workplace (88%)

· making representations to management/employer on behalf of members/workers (92%)

· persuading management/employer to find solutions/resolve health and safety problems (92%)

It seems clear that in practice, body mapping is a helpful new tool for safety reps in effectively representing and articulating the health and safety interests of their members.

Action - How body mapping techniques were used

Respondents were asked how body mapping was used in their workplace. The responses from the safety reps were overwhelmingly positive. The quotes below give an impression of the way body mapping was conducted:

· talked to workers, gave them body map and asked them to put stickers on to affected or injured parts of the body

· a sample of members were used to see if mapping could work with DSE assessments

· surveyed members asking what aches, pains, illness and complaints they have suffered

· as part of the course I interviewed a selection of workers from one of the production assembly lines. I explained the body mapping technique and they were asked to complete the body maps.

· asked staff at staff meeting to fill out sheets

· met with members and informed them of the procedure and why we were asking them to assist. Then asked them to complete body maps using coloured dots, to identify symptoms etc

· I consulted a group of members working in three different workplaces. Comparing the data and then preparing a report for management

· initial body mapping talk with group to explain the purpose; group decided to complete the activity altogether; group enjoyed the activity and responded well to discussing ill health experience

· I distributed 26 body mapping forms and explained how to use them. The response was not good. They wanted to know what business it was of the safety rep

· mapping and discussion during and follow up to DSE assessments

· target group of clerical staff whose jobs are yet to be risk assessed. A number of issues were raised that have been pointed out to management. The process highlighted both areas of risk to staff but also highlighted management’s reluctance to act on information

Action - what did the safety reps find out from body mapping?

Respondents were asked what they found out as a result of using body mapping techniques. Again, with one or two exceptions, the responses from the safety reps were overwhelmingly positive. The quotes below give an impression of some of the findings from the body mapping exercises:

· many women suffered same aches and pains in the packing hall due to repetitive jobs

· manufacturing men suffered with back and neck problems due to repetitive lifting of weights

· found out about some strains I did not know about

· most had the same problems, caused by the same equipment i.e. back problems as office chair does not adjust

· that there was a manual handling and PPE problem in the workplace

· there was an overlap of points indicated on the body maps that members were saying that they were getting pain from

· 3 specific groups had previously undiscovered problem - clarified individuals with common problem not known before

· the results were varying but nothing conclusive and no serious problems arose

· after speaking to a few members I would feel confident about using body mapping as a source of evidence when representing members’ cases of health and safety illnesses

· the usual complaints i.e. back ache, sore legs, stress around shoulders etc, plus female related condition ( nursing staff)

· most members were suffering the same aches and strains

· there was confusion whether the aches and pains were caused by work or home after work activities

· many accidents not placed in the accident book or near miss book and many of the same types of accidents recur

· that problems are occurring and this was a method of identifying them, easily and in a systematic way

· the main ill health symptoms that occurred in the workplace and how frequently they occurred

· common problems could be identified at a glance

· staff were very good at letting me know what parts of their body hurt or what they were suffering from, so diseases were highlighted

· management thought it was a good idea

· stress levels, everyone had used this, so I was able to realise how many people did not feel comfortable doing their work especially after an assault

· back pain and stress related illness

· to refresh the need for management hazard reporting and recording data including analysing and comparing correlation of new/old data

· in general, members did not find it part of the safety rep’s job. They said have we not got more important things to do with our time

· there are more common problems than I thought

· a number of staff have concerns about workstations and various aches and pains associated with the work they undertake

· highlighted aggressive practice of the management (some staff reluctant to take part because of fear of retribution). Management also unhappy about me undertaking course work during work time

Action taken by safety reps as a result of body mapping

80% of the safety reps in the impact sample had taken action as a result of what they had found out as a result of body mapping. Examples of the action taken are included in the list below:

· our findings were submitted at our monthly health and safety meetings and steps are being taken to alter work stations

· discussed with management

· after finding out about injuries/strains did some risk assessments and job analysis of tasks where workers picked up injuries strains etc to try to eliminate risks

· ongoing in the managers H&S forum - I have requested that body mapping is used as part of the DSE process

· discussed findings with the membership

· put findings to company health and safety committee

· proposed changes to accident reporting and absenteeism procedures

· I copied the body maps and passed on the information to the company’s health and safety manager

· made representations to management

· manual handling training and dealing with difficult children procedures

· reported back to members who participated in the survey; advised that foot/wrist rests are available from QM Stores; raised awareness of the correct use of DSE, using equipment and taking breaks; on one occasion the help available from the employer for eye tests

· reviewed weekly to try to eliminate the causes

· I have now arranged a meeting with management to discuss results and arranged a TU briefing for other representatives to explain body mapping

· results in graph form presented to management to reinforce the need to improve ventilation in some specific areas. Does provide good visual evidence which is harder to ignore

· it was taken to management meetings who looked into stress

· problem was identified. Brought it to management’s attention. Negotiated a way around the problem

· wrote to district manager and copy to the section manager identifying back pain and stress related data from members. Sent a copy to the branch health and safety officer

· sent all information to the GMB

· looked at ways to provide more suitable equipment

· highlighted problems to line manager. Risk assessments now ongoing

Action taken by management to tackle health and safety problems identified through body mapping

60% of managers in the impact sample had taken action as a result of the body mapping representations of safety reps. In addition, some of the safety reps expected management to take some action even though they had not done so yet. Examples of the action taken are included in the list below:

· our findings were submitted at our monthly health and safety meetings and steps are being taken to alter workstations

· new risk assessments have taken place and remedial action is ongoing

· new equipment being introduced

· in some cases some jobs have been changed following fresh assessments

· they are in the process of tackling the problems that arose from body mapping

· the company have at the union’s request introduced body mapping as part of the accident reporting/investigation procedure and absenteeism procedures so that recurring problems can be highlighted quickly

· management have used the information obtained and resolved the situation

· training for staff on manual handling

· not yet, but expect they will in due course

· all DSE assessments were checked to make sure that they had been carried out correctly; line managers were informed that it is their responsibility to ensure that DSE assessments were done; if any person not satisfied with their DSE they should contact the H&S Admin Officer or Union H&S rep. This was published on station orders

· management have a copy to use with the accident/near miss book to help find ways to eliminate the problems or to improve working practices

· windows that had broken sash cords have been replaced in the most troublesome areas

· agreed for us to do a week of health and safety promotion giving staff advice to bring down stress levels

· should anybody have a problem working on their own due to a physical or mental threat or abuse from members of the public, they can double up with a colleague

· facilities made available and changes to the lifting and manual handling course

· basic health and safety training given to all employees but particularly the manual workers

· the company only act if the company nurse highlights a problem

· they take on what we find out and try to work together to resolve problem

· partly resolved - some staff have had workstations assessed by an ergonomist

The use of body mapping in the future

80% of the safety reps in the sample said that they would be using body mapping with their members in the future. Examples of the way they would use the technique are included in the list below:

build an individual picture if done at regular intervals (i.e. yearly). It would pick up potential problems and equipment could be used before a member suffers any long term health problems

· we intend to integrate body mapping into the safety policy for the site.

· every so often perhaps on new processes jobs etc - get people to do the body mapping

· body mapping will be an invaluable tool to me in measuring the amount of injuries sustained by my fellow associates. When I do accident investigations, as at present, no statistics seem to be available. With body mapping I intend recording the accidents over a period of time then produce findings to management

· it should help them identify problems or potential problems caused by working conditions or change of working conditions; it will build a profile of the individual for future reference; it will help the reps/stewards build a profile of the working conditions

· as part of accident investigation

· intend to do sessions on a regular basis

· hope to carry out departmental study

· to identify ill health or illness which is not immediately obvious among the workforce

· by using body mapping pack given to me via the TUC course

· in identifying ill health absence and making efforts to address root causes of these absences

· offices have all been set up with new workstations. Will body map to see if there are any areas causing any problems

· hopefully if the pilot scheme works in the paint shop, body mapping will be introduced plant wide

· at present I am undertaking this as a project for the TUC Stage 3 entitled 'Body mapping - a good tool'. I will be meeting management in June to address the issues raised

· use of a group activity as there is not enough time to do it individually

· it highlights problems that may be not noticed before, and lets management know about the staff’s health`

· to assess the experience and risk management of members and that of the employer; to refresh the need for management hazard reporting and recording data including analysing and comparing correlation of new/old data

· members filled it in and were pleased how easy it was

· continue with mapping

· use as a tool to highlight where the problems are

Examples of action taken in the months since the courses concluded

5 of the safety reps who completed the impact questionnaire were followed up by telephone, so that further information could be gathered. Their workplace experiences with body mapping, several months on from the courses, are summarised below.

Body mapping and hazard mapping now regularly used

Two union safety reps, ran body mapping exercises with two groups of members. There were surprising trends. In particular, one particular process was causing back pain to workers. This problem had never been highlighted before. The cause appeared to be the twisting of the back when lifting 20 kilo bags on a regular basis. As a result of meeting the health and safety manager, a new piece of lifting equipment was introduced to eliminate manual handling. The workers have used the new equipment. However, the new lifting equipment is not ideal and the safety reps and managers are currently pursuing improvements.

In addition, body mapping and hazard mapping have now been introduced into the official procedures of the site. Every two months the safety reps do a body mapping and a hazard mapping activity in a new area. In the opinion of one of the safety reps, a lot of previously unidentified ergonomic problems are being highlighted. Just recently, fork-lift trucks have been re-routed following a hazard mapping activity.

The only reservation expressed about mapping techniques is making sure that safety reps have adequate time to use them.

Body mapping stimulates changes in the way the job is done

A safety rep at a bakery introduced body mapping following a pilot TUC course. The body mapping exercise revealed back injuries and strains. Previously, workers had not liked doing the job in question, but in the safety rep’s opinion, it was not until the workers body mapped together, that they realised that other workers were getting the same sort of aches and strains.

In the period after the course had finished, the safety rep took the findings to management. As a result, the way that the job is done has been changed with the introduction of:

· new, smaller baskets that do not hold as much of the product

· job rotation and task variety

The safety rep says that the members are much happier as a result of the changes, and concluded that it is essential that safety reps have adequate time to use body mapping and other techniques.

Using body mapping as part of the DSE risk assessment process

A safety rep used body mapping with a sample of members during her TUC course. Management was shocked by some of the findings, particularly the amount of back pain associated with non-adjustable chairs.

Subsequently, the safety rep has briefed the union side and indicated that at the next joint Health and Safety Forum, she will be requesting that safety reps undertake a body mapping exercise with workers as part of the DSE risk assessment process. Results will then be fed into the DSE assessors so that they can take account of workers’ views.

In the safety rep’s opinion, body mapping will identify a lot of problems before they develop. She feels that members respond to this technique, as marking the body maps helps them to remember their work-related ailments.

Body mapping - members think it is a 'great idea'

A safety rep discovered manual handling problems following body mapping and hazard mapping at his workplace. He felt that it got members involved and they thought it was a great idea. Management was initially sceptical as they thought it may be a compensation-related exercise.

The safety rep raised the findings at the health and safety committee, and as a result some of the inadequate lifting equipment has been repaired. In addition, the union has introduced body mapping as part of the accident reporting/investigation procedures.

Action plans following body mapping

A safety rep compared two groups of members’ responses to body mapping. One group was doing a lot of manual handwriting, and the other group was using DSE. Both groups suffered from similar aches and pains in the back, head and hands.

The safety rep used these examples at a large health and safety committee meeting, in June 2001. The response from management was not particularly positive, but the occupational health and safety advisor supported the findings. As a result, an action plan has been agreed to prioritise the improvement of the risk assessment procedures. Body mapping will be used as part of this wider process.

The safety rep has also run a one day body mapping briefing for 8 other safety reps at the workplace. He feels that body mapping is a really useful tool that members find very easy to use.

Conclusions from the pilot body mapping project

The use of body mapping in this pilot exercise has proved to be an overwhelming success. It has been found that it is particularly helpful in the following jobs of the safety rep:

· representing the health and safety interests of members/workers

· investigating health and safety complaints from members/workers & raising awareness

· investigating hazards in the workplace

· making representations to management/employer on behalf of members/workers

· persuading management/employer to find solutions/resolve health and safety problems

During and after the pilot courses:

· it has been noted that body mapping works best when it is facilitated by the union safety rep as a collective exercise with a small group of members/workers

· there has been a positive response from both safety reps and workers

· the response from management has not always been positive

· there has been action taken in the workplace by both safety reps and management

· improvements have been made to work processes and tasks

· procedures have been developed to incorporate body mapping and hazard mapping

· body mapping has sometimes been integrated into risk assessment procedures so that safety reps can identify ill health symptoms that need to be addressed

· safety reps need adequate time to use body mapping techniques with members

As a result, it is proposed that the techniques of body mapping and hazard mapping should be introduced on all TUC courses in the future.

Recommendations for the future use of body mapping

Course materials

The body mapping course materials should be amended (after the TUC body mapping brochure has been agreed - see below) to take account of the feedback from participants involved in the impact survey (see above). In particular:

· the materials should be as 'low tech' as possible, so safety reps do not have to rely on having supplies of stickers/'post its' etc

· the categories of ill health need to be clearly defined to eliminate confusion

The new TUC body mapping brochure currently being produced with support from the HSC Training Initiative budget 2001/2002, should be incorporated into the course materials. The brochure should be designed to take account of the views of safety reps and tutors that have been expressed in this pilot exercise. It would be beneficial to have short explanatory leaflets about body mapping in the brochure, for safety reps to give to members/ workers and management.

When any core TUC health and safety course materials are rewritten/updated in the future, body mapping and hazard mapping should be incorporated.

Tutor notes

A set of tutor notes should be developed to accompany the course materials. The tutor notes should emphasise the importance of the body mapping taking place collectively amongst workers, and address the question of time for safety reps to conduct body mapping.

Distribution of course materials

The body mapping course materials should be posted up on TUC learnOnline (in PDF and Word formats) and course co-ordinators notified that they are available for use on all TUC health and safety courses from October 2001. There should be a link provided on TUC learnOnline to the excellent Hazards DIY web page, so that tutors and safety reps can see examples of body mapping and hazard mapping in practice.

Tutor briefings

All future TUC health and safety briefings for tutors should incorporate an element of body and hazard mapping to equip tutors to introduce the techniques to safety reps.

PDK/TUC 03/10/01

Appendix 1

TUC Tutor Briefings: programme

AIMS:

The aims are to help us to:

· share experiences about tutoring methods that assist safety reps in identifying occupational health problems in the workplace

· find out about health and safety body mapping techniques

· contribute to developing and using body mapping teaching materials

· prepare to pilot body mapping teaching materials from Jan-March 2001.

PROGRAMME

	9.00-10.30	10.30 - 12.30	1.30-3.00	3.00-5.30
Monday 4 Dec.		Arrival for lunch from 12.00	Introductions Aims Background to the body mapping project Review of experience	Review of experience reports back Current developments
Tuesday 5 Dec.	The use of TUC LearnOnline for the body mapping project	Working groups on body mapping materials	Working groups on body mapping materials	Reports back on the use of body mapping materials
Wed. 6 Dec	Reports back on the use of body mapping materials	Plans for using body mapping materials from January-March 2001 Evaluation	Departure

MATERIALS

· Basic TUC materials for safety reps about body mapping

· Hazards Publications Body Mapping packs

· Current TUC Health and Safety policy documents

· The HSC long-term occupational health strategy

· The results of the TUC 2000 safety rep’s survey

Appendix 2

Student evaluation form

Body Mapping Materials Evaluation

This form is designed to help us improve the quality of TUC Body Mapping materials. It is an opportunity for you to assist the TUC, trade union educators and fellow trade unionists by providing feed back. This will contribute to the success of future courses. Please complete this form on the last day of your course and hand it to your course tutor.

Your name:

Course and Venue:

Dates of course:

1. USEFULNESS

Which parts of the body mapping materials were most and least useful to you?

Most useful Least useful

2. CONTENT

Would you suggest anything that should be added to, or left out of the materials?

Add Leave out

3. EFFECTIVENESS OF BODY MAPPING

Do you have any views about how effective body mapping is as a tool for safety reps?

4. ACTION AS A RESULT OF BODY MAPPING

What action took place as a result of body mapping?

q By you as a safety rep

q By members and workers

q By your employer/management

5. ASSESSMENT

What is your overall assessment of body mapping as a tool to help you and your members to tackle ill health caused by work? ( Tick box )

q Excellent

q Very good

q Good

q Average

q Poor

6. OTHER COMMENTS

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for filling in this form

Appendix 3

Tutor evaluation form

Tutor summary feedback form: Body mapping materials

Name:______________________________________________________

Trade union studies unit: ______________________________________

Course materials used on: _____________________________________

Activities and resources

Comments; successes; problems; ideas for additional activities/materials; improvements

Evaluations from the safety reps on your course

Summary of key points

Action taken by safety reps as a result of body mapping

Summary of key points

Your overall evaluation of body mapping and any other comments

Return to P. Kirby, For the TUC Education Service, 2 Bolberry Court, Bolberry, Malborough, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3DY (Copy to your REO).

Please fill in the forms below for any activities and resources that you used

Body mapping materials	How used and what was the outcome?	Strengths/weaknesses and suggested improvements
Pre-Course Activity P6

Activities
1. Introductions: P7
2. Ways of identifying ill health: P8-11
3. Identifying body parts: P12
4. Body mapping 13-14
5. TU approach: 15-16

Body mapping materials	How used and what was the outcome?	Strengths/weaknesses and suggested improvements
Workplace Activity 1: P17-18
6. Report back on body mapping: P19
7. Work related ill health in more detail:P20
8. Using the internet: P21
Hazard mapping and Workplace activity 2: P22-25
Workplace activity 3: employers policies: P26
Body mapping materials	How used and what was the outcome?	Strengths/weaknesses and suggested improvements
9. Report on hazard mapping and prioritising: P27
Your world mapping: P28
10. Priority problems identified by members: P29-30
11. Action planning:P31-32
12. Evaluation: P33-35
Additional resources
Skillnote: systematic approach - P36-40
TUC blank body maps: supplied separately with the materials
TUC additional resources: P42
CUPE Maps: P44
Hazards Factsheets 60; 61 & 71: P45
Trade union resources: P46
Getting to know your body: P47

Appendix 4

Impact of body mapping in the workplace:

questionnaire

The impact of body mapping techniques in the workplace

06 June 2001

Introduction

This survey is being supported by the Health and Safety Executive, and carried out by Peter Kirby, TUC health and safety consultant, on behalf of the TUC Education Service.

The survey is designed to provide information about the impact of body mapping techniques being used by trade union health and safety representatives following TUC courses. We need this information so that the TUC can further improve body mapping techniques and try to ensure that ill health in the workplace is identified and prevented. The results of the survey will be published and sent to all safety reps that reply.

Your response is crucial in ensuring that this survey provides the information we seek. Please answer as many questions as you can. It should take you no longer than thirty minutes to complete.

Thank you for your participation.

This form should be returned by 22 June 2001 to:

Peter Kirby

Health and Safety Consultant to the TUC

2 Bolberry Court

Bolberry

Malborough

Kingsbridge

Devon TQ7 3DY

About you, your union and your employer

1. Which union do you belong to? ___________________________________________

2. How long have you been a safety rep?

¨ Under 1 year

¨ 1 year to 5 years

¨ Over 5 years

3. How many workers do you represent as a safety rep?_________________________

4. Where you work how many people are employed?

¨ Under 50

¨ 50-100

¨ Over 100

¨ Over 200

¨ Over 1000

5. How many people does your employer employ overall in the UK?

¨ Under 50

¨ 50-100

¨ Over 100

¨ Over 200

¨ Over 1000

6. Is the organisation you work for:

¨ in the public sector?

¨ in the private sector?

¨ in the not for profit (voluntary) sector?

¨ primarily engaged in sub-contracting?

7. What best describes the sector of the economy is your employer in?

¨ Agriculture and Fishing

¨ Health Services

¨ Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants

¨ Banking, Finance and Insurance

¨ Voluntary Sector

¨ Education

¨ Manufacturing

¨ Energy and Water

¨ Leisure Services

¨ Construction

¨ Local Government

¨ Central Government

¨ Transport and Communications

¨ Other services

About you and safety rep training

8. What training have you received as a safety rep? (Tick more than one box if appropriate)

¨ TUC/Union Health and Safety Stage 1

¨ TUC/Union Health and Safety Stage 2

¨ Your own union’s Health and Safety Induction/Introductory Course

¨ The TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

¨ Other TUC/Union Health and Safety Courses

¨ Joint union/employer Course

¨ Employer training

9. Hadyou ever used body mapping techniques before they were introduced to you on a recent TUC course?

q Yes

q No

10. Which recent TUC course were you attending when body mapping techniques were discussed and used?

¨ TUC/Union Health and Safety Stage 1

¨ TUC/Union Health and Safety Stage 2

¨ Your own union’s Health and Safety Induction/Introductory Course

¨ The TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

¨ Other TUC/Union Health and Safety Courses

11. What is your overall assessment of the body mapping materials used on the course?

q Excellent

q Very good

q Good

q Average

q Poor

12. In light of your experience, have you any suggestions about how the body mapping materials could be improved? (If yes, briefly outline the changes in the spaces below)

q Yes

q No

About the use of body mapping in your workplace

13. Following the introduction of body mapping techniques on your recent TUC course, did you use the techniques in the workplace with your members?

q Yes

q No

14. If you answered yes to Q. 13 above, in general what sort of response did you get from your members and other union reps?

q Excellent

q Very good

q Good

q Average

q Poor

15. If you answered yes to Q. 13 above, in general what sort of response did you get from management/employer?

q Excellent

q Very good

q Good

q Average

q Poor

16. How many members did you involve in the body mapping exercise?

q 1-5

q 6-10

q 11-15

q 16-20

q More than 20

17. To what extent do you think that body mapping techniques have helped you in the following activities as a safety rep?

Please circle the appropriate number underneath each of the statements, where:

1 =Extremely helpful

2 =Helped a lot

3 =Of some help

4 =Of little help

5 =Of no help

17.1 Representing the health and safety interests of members/workers

1 2 3 4 5

17.2 Investigating health and safety complaints from members/workers & raising awareness

1 2 3 4 5

17.3 Investigating hazards in the workplace

1 2 3 4 5

17.4 Inspecting the workplace

1 2 3 4 5

17.5 Investigating accidents, dangerous occurrences, ill health & encouraging reporting

1 2 3 4 5

17.6 Finding and using health and safety information

1 2 3 4 5

17.7 Receiving information from, and being consulted by management/employer

1 2 3 4 5

17.8 Making representations to management/employer on behalf of members/workers

1 2 3 4 5

17.9 Persuading management/employer to find solutions/resolve health and safety problems

1 2 3 4 5

17.10 Participating in the risk assessment process

1 2 3 4 5

17.11 Participating in health and safety committees

1 2 3 4 5

17.12 Representing members in consultation with health and safety inspectors and 'experts'

1 2 3 4 5

Action from body mapping

18. Briefly describe how you used body mapping and the results

18.1 Describe how you used body mapping techniques

18.2 What did you find out?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18.3 Did you take action as a result of what you found out?

q Yes

q No

If yes explain what you did

18.4 Have management tackled the health and safety problems that have been identified through body mapping?

If yes explain what has been done

18.4 Will you be using body mapping with your members in the future?

q Yes

q No

If yes explain in what way

About you

You can send us this form anonymously, but the details which follow will help us to identify how representative our sample is.

· If you do answer Qs 19-21 we will send you a copy of the survey results

· If you do answer question 22, it is possible that we may contact you by telephone to obtain a little more information

Please note that no individuals or workplaces will be named in the final report.

19. Name______________________________________________________________________

20. Address____________________________________________________________________

21. Postcode____________ 22. Telephone number________________

23. Are you?

¨ Male

¨ Female

24. How would you describe yourself?

¨ Black and ethnic minority

¨ Afro Caribbean

¨ White

¨ African

¨ Asian

¨ Other

25. What age are you?

¨ 16-25

¨ 26-35

¨ 36-45

¨ 46-60

¨ 60+

26. Do you work

¨ Part-time

¨ Full-time

¨ Job-share

¨ On temporary contracts

27. What sort of work do you do?

¨ Manual

¨ Clerical

¨ Services

¨ Managerial

¨ Professional/technical

¨ Other

Many thanks for completing this questionnaire

Report (9,900 words) issued 4 Oct 2001

Publications

You can buy the following related title online

Hazards at Work: organizing for safe and healthy workplaces

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Email a link to this document

About the respondents to the impact questionnaire

Safety rep training received

Previous use of body mapping techniques

Use of body mapping in the workplace

Body mapping techniques and activities as a safety rep

1=Extremely helpful; 2=Helped a lot; 3=Of some help; 4=Of little help; 5 =Of no help

Action - How body mapping techniques were used

The use of body mapping in the future

Examples of action taken in the months since the courses concluded

Using body mapping as part of the DSE risk assessment process

Conclusions from the pilot body mapping project

PROGRAMME

MATERIALS

Your name:

Which parts of the body mapping materials were most and least useful to you?

Thank you for filling in this form

Tutor summary feedback form: Body mapping materials

Summary of key points

Summary of key points

Please fill in the forms below for any activities and resources that you used

Body mapping materials

Pre-Course Activity P6

Activities

Body mapping materials

Body mapping materials

10. Priority problems identified by members: P29-30

11. Action planning:P31-32

About you, your union and your employer

About you and safety rep training

About the use of body mapping in your workplace

1 =Extremely helpful

Action from body mapping

If yes explain what you did

If yes explain what has been done

If yes explain in what way

About you