Safety reps
Union safety reps have a dramatic, positive impact on safety at work – and the more training they get, the safer the workplace. Evidence shows that workplaces with union safety reps and joint union-management safety committees have major injury rates less than half of those without.
Safety reps’ rights and functions include a legal right to: Represent employees in discussions with the employer on health, safety or welfare and in discussions with HSE or other enforcing authorities; investigate hazards and dangerous occurrences; investigate complaints; carry out inspections of the workplace and inspect relevant documents; attend safety committees; be paid for time spent on carrying out their functions, and to undergo training.
Safety reps in union recognised workplaces have the legal right to paid time off for union approved safety training. HSE’s evaluation of the impact of safety reps training found the more training a safety rep underwent, the greater the positive impact at work.
The legal rights of safety Representatives can be found in the "Brown Book" which is the regulations, code of practice and guidance on safety representatives. The TUC has produced a version of this for training purposes which can be downloaded here [pdf].
Links:
HSC Consultation on improving worker involvement
Hazards safety reps training and time off briefing
Safety reps profile – what makes them tick
Health and Safety Inspections: A TUC Guide
TUC New Unionism safety reps pages
Organising for Health and Safety: A TUC Resource for use in the workplace
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
TUC guide to risk assessment
The TUC has produced this guide to risk assessment to ensure that safety reps have the necessary tools to ensure their employer has done a suitable risk assessment, as well as taken appropriate measures to implement the measures required
19 September 2008
You may slip up without Hazards at Work!
The second edition of the TUC's best-selling guide to health and safety at work is now ready!
22 October 2007
Safety reps mean action at work
Union safety reps make workplace safety campaigns effective, research for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has found.
PDF version available for download
31 August 2007
Safety & Migrant Workers: A practical guide for safety representative
A new guide for safety representatives which gives advice on how they can work with migrant workers
28 June 2007
Migrant workers need extra help staying safe, says TUC
Problems with language and a poor understanding of the culture in British workplaces means that migrant workers may need extra help from employers and unions to stay safe at work, says the TUC today (Thursday).
28 June 2007
TUC urges employers not to delay making workplaces smoke-free
With just under three months to go before all public places and workplaces in England must become smoke-free, the TUC is today (Monday) urging employers to get their act together and introduce smoking bans into their shops, factories, offices, restaurants and bars.
2 April 2007
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