date: Thursday 2 October 2003 embargo: immediate release

Attention: industrial; health and safety correspondents

new union reps to raise safety in small businesses

The TUC has welcomed the announcement today (Thursday) by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Smith, of funding for a new breed of union safety rep who will promote health and safety issues in small and medium workplaces that do not necessarily have union members.

The ‘roving safety reps’ will work with employers to involve and consult the workforce on health and safety issues and inform employees of their health and safety rights.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said:

'Worker safety advisers, or roving safety reps, will help make workplaces safer and protect people's lives. Consulting and involving workers about their health and safety is the single most important thing that employers can do to improve the working environment. And in small firms, which often do not have union members or a union safety rep, roving safety reps backed by trade unions are the next best thing.'

Notes to Editors:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley 020 7467 1248 or 07626 317903 (pager) or email bhurley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 2 Oct 2003