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date: 24 October 2008

embargo: Monday 27th October

Northern TUC urges more emphasis on keeping the region's workforce healthy

According to the TUC's biennial survey of safety reps published today (Monday), northern region workers were most concerned about slips, trips and falls, workplace transport accidents, passive smoking and asthma.

Whilst national concerns with regards to passive smoking have waned over the last 3 surveys, safety reps in our region still feel it is an issue which is having a detrimental impact on themselves and their colleagues, not least because asthma was cited as more of a problem in the north east and Cumbria than anywhere else in the country, with only London having the same level of concern.

Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: 'The northern region is historically one of the worst for occupational health in general, so these concerns are clearly an indication that we unfortunately haven't overcome this status yet. The recent smoking ban has made in-roads into the problem of passive smoking and related illnesses but the full impact will take longer to take effect.

'Asthma is part of our industrial and cultural heritage and is insidious, exacerbating coronary and related illnesses or conditions, so both employers and the HSE need to take every measure to ensure sufferers are not exposed to any triggers - or other hazards for that matter, in the workplace.

'Naturally, trade unions have an important role to play in working with employers to help safeguard workers, and it has been proven time and again that health and safety reps make for safer workplaces. It is imperative that employers take this on board as the northern region disturbingly had the highest proportion of safety reps (10%) who said Risk Assessments had not been done; this is not good enough by any stretch of the imaginiation.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Susanne Nichol T: 0191 227 5553; M: 07771 873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Susanne Nichol T: 0191 227 5553; M: 07771 873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 24 Oct 2008