Risks

issue no 8 - 30 June 2001

Risks is the TUC’s weekly e-bulletin. Risks aims to keep safety reps and others informed about TUC, union and other health and safety news. Edited for the TUC by Rory O'Neill of Hazards magazine. Send views about this bulletin to Owen Tudor. If you know anyone who might want to receive this or future issues, copy this to them. To register to receive this bulletin every week, click here.

In this bumper issue, a special stress feature - guidance from HSE and GMB, reports from CWU and the Industrial Society, comment from MSF and successful bargaining on teachers’ workloads.

Go to: Contents Feature Union news Other news International Action Events Links Details of TUC courses for safety reps (new Scotland dates) Disclaimer Privacy statement

CONTENTS - the top twenty stories this week!

• HSE takes first steps to easier enforcement on stress

• Stress soars as workers struggle with work and home demands

• MSF welcomes HSE stress guidance

• GMB gives guidance on workplace stress

• Bad management stresses communication workers

• Agreement to protect teachers from excessive workload

• TUC/CCA conference on enforcement and accountability

• Government reiterates plans for corporate killing law

• GMB condemns gas watchdog’s cuts for threatening safety

• Chief rail inspector warns rail employers 'do better or get out!'

• SPADS increase prompts safety warning to railways

• 'Fear is the key' to employer compliance on manual handling

• Major construction companies sign up to safety revolution

• Political fears drove asbestos disease insurance bail-out

• RoSPA guidance on learning the lessons from safety failures

• Unions win ILO Convention on safety and health in agriculture

• Australia: Largest ever work stoppage in compensation fight

• USA: Teens exposed to chemicals at work

• Korea: Cell phone usage while driving made illegal

FEATURE

HSE takes first steps to easier enforcement on stress

The Health and Safety Executive is urging employers to remedy workplace stress problems. Announcing publication of a new guide, HSE spokesperson Elizabeth Gyngell said: "There is a difference between the buzz people get from doing a busy job and staff simply being unable to cope with the strains placed upon them. A burnt-out workforce is an unproductive workforce and it is in no one's interests to find themselves in this situation." She added: "The guidance is the first step towards producing management standards which will establish benchmarks for measuring employers' performance in preventing work-related stress and will make enforcing stress-related health and safety offences easier. We will be developing these in partnership with business over the next few years." HSE says stress-related illness is responsible for the loss of 6.5 million working days each year, costing employers around £370 million and society as a whole £3.75 billion.

• HSE news release

• Tackling work-related stress a managers' guide to improving and maintaining employee health and well-being, (ref HSG218) ISBN 0 7176 2050 6 £7.95, from HSE Books

• Tackling work-related stress - a guide for employees, HSE free leaflet, from HSE Books or free online (as a pdf file)

Stress soars as workers struggle with work and home demands

Almost nine out of 10 workplaces are affected by excessive stress, new research suggests. Eighty-six per cent of personnel managers questioned by Industrial Society researchers said they felt that stress was a workplace problem, with 36 per cent believing it to be significantly so. Nearly 70 per cent believed juggling work and home demands was a major contributor to occupational stress. Almost half felt that unrealistic deadlines and constant time pressures were a factor and over 40 per cent said that poor communications raised stress levels. The Industrial Society study found that 53 per cent of respondents believed stress is an issue that an organisation can address proactively. TUC general secretary John Monks welcomed the study: "This report confirms that stress is a huge problem in British workplaces. Overwork and the need to balance work with family life are clearly crucial issues, but so is poor management. Managers shouldn't be blaming the victims, they should be getting tough with the causes of stress. The emphasis on better communications and reducing overwork suggest that a partnership approach between managers and unions could significantly reduce stress levels at work."

• Industrial Society research summary

• Industrial Society news release

• Managing Best Practice no 83,Occupational Stress, £60 plus p&p, from The Industrial Society on 0870 400 1000

MSF welcomes HSE guidance

MSF’s National Secretary for the working environment Chris Ball welcomed the HSE guidance. "It is time that everyone realised that a happy worker is a productive worker, and that a stressed out worker is neither productive nor happy," he said. 'However, this guide for managers will make an important contribution to setting standards of what is acceptable and normal in any organisation, and what steps managers can be expected to take in dealing with stress at work."

• Press release

GMB gives guidance on workplace stress

A new GMB guide, Getting Action on Work Related Stress, looks at the signs and symptoms of stress, the causes of stress, and the law relating to stress at work. The guidance also has a detailed six-point action plan that employers and trade union safety representatives can use to tackle stress in their workplace. Research by the general union GMB showed that 78 per cent of those who responded to the HSE Discussion Document on stress wanted government legislation, not just guidance, to help them deal with the issue. GMB Director of Health and Environment Nigel Bryson said: 'The HSE cannot expect a voluntary scheme to address an issue as critical as all the available evidence shows stress at work to be. Clear and legally binding advice is essential.'

• Getting Action on Work Related Stress. Freeto GMB safety reps, £10 to non-members from GMB, 22-24 Worple Road, London SW19 4DD. Tel: 020 8971 4263. E-mail GMB safety

Bad management stresses communication workers

Workers are feeling more stressed than ever before, and bad management is a major reason why. A survey of Communication Workers Union members employed in companies including BT, the Post Office, Alliance and Leicester, Manpower and Cable and Wireless, found that most, 84 per cent, felt more stressed than five years ago. Bad management and excessive workloads were considered the two main causes of stress. Staff shortages, lack of job security, boring work, long hours and bullying were also seen as major stressors. One in seven (15 per cent) said they had been off work with a stress-related illness in the previous 12 months. Respondents said that where employers had taken steps to tackle stress at work, or had a stress policy, satisfaction improved with all aspects of the job.

• CWU stress survey (pdf format)

Agreement to protect teachers from excessive workload

Teachers’ unions have welcomed an agreement with local education authority leaders on measures to address staff shortages and excessive workloads. Doug McAvoy, NUT general secretary, said: "This is a good agreement addressing teachers' excessive workload in the short term… The guidelines recognise the demands being made on teachers especially in schools where there are teacher shortages and where there are difficulties in finding supply staff.' Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of NASUWT said: 'Proceeding on the basis of agreement provides more protection for a much greater number of teachers than having to rely upon industrial action.'

• · NUT news release

• NAS U WT news release

UNION NEWS

TUC/CCA conference on enforcement and accountability

A joint TUC/Centre for Corporate Accountability conference on law enforcement and corporate accountability will be held in Congress House on 21 November, sponsored by Russell Jones & Walker. It will look at how HSE and local authorities enforce safety law and how the criminal justice system can hold companies and their senior officers to account for their safety failures which result in death, injury and disease. Registration costs £25 (£5 unwaged) and speakers include Tom Byrne and Anne Jones, General Council member Maureen Rooney, David Bergman, Sara Marsden, Owen Tudor and Fraser Whitehead.

• CCA/TUC conference details

Government reiterates plans for corporate killing law

The government has reiterated its manifesto commitment to introduce a corporate killing law. Home Office Minister Keith Bradley MP told Labour’s Andrew Dismore MP (a former union lawyer) on 26 June: 'The Government remain committed to the introduction of an offence of corporate killing. … We intend to publish final proposals for the reform of the law on involuntary manslaughter as soon as we have completed consideration of the responses to the consultation exercise.'

GMB condemns gas watchdog’s cuts for threatening safety

Gas industry spending cuts demanded by a government watchdog 'are impossible to deliver without compromising safety,' utilities union GMB has warned. Responding to an Ofgem report proposing that Transco, the gas pipeline company, cut its overheads by five per cent a year for the next five years to deliver price cuts to consumers, Brian Strutton, GMB national secretary for energy and utilities, said: 'The spending cuts that the regulator is seeking are frankly impossible to deliver without job loses, pay cuts and seriously compromising of safety. We do not believe that consumers would want to jeopardise their own safety for the sake of 30p a week off their gas bill. These proposals are simply ludicrous.'

• GMB news release

• Ofgem news release

OTHER NEWS

Chief rail inspector warns rail employers 'do better or get out!'

Britain's chief rail inspector, Vic Coleman, has admitted HSE was too soft on railway employers. Speaking at an Institute of Economic Affairs conference on 26 June, Mr Coleman said: "I hear people in the railway industry hide behind a background of improving statistics and the mantra that railways are safer than other transport systems. Behind the absolute truth of those words are some appalling failures." He added: "Ladbroke Grove should have been the wake-up call, but for those who smugly pointed to the statistics and hid behind the failures of others, I have a clear message. Do better or get out. HSE will pursue all companies that fail to put safety first. Our inspectors will no longer 'trust the industry'." The strong language follows the Cullen report into Ladbroke Grove, and TUC calls for an end to accepting railway employers’ promises.

• Report in The Independent , 26 June 2001

• TUC response to Ladbroke Grove report

SPADS increase prompts safety warning to railways

The HSE report on Signals Passed at Danger (SPADS) for May revealed a big increase over May 2000 from 35 to 56. Transport Minister John Spellar MP said: 'The problem is not new and the industry's response to the problem has been far too patchy. The industry must get a firm grip on the problem and deal with it." HSE has warned 10 train operators that they face enforcement action, and potential prosecutions, if safety records are not improved.

• BBC News online report

• HSE Report on SPADS for May 2001

'Fear is the key' to employer compliance on manual handling

An HSE contract research report on the implementation of the Manual Handling Regulations has found that one of the main motivators for compliance by employers was fear of compensation claims and enforcement. TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Although I salute those good employers who are taking action from a sense of moral duty, it is depressing to find that fear is the key to getting so many other employers to prevent back injuries at work. They haven't learnt that good health is good business." The TUC is also concerned that the study failed to investigate the role of safety reps in preventing back strain - despite an earlier study for the HSE finding that the most practical preventive measures were taken where employees were involved. Nor does the report look at what might be missing in the Manual Handling Directive - the TUC is leading a growing campaign to amend the Directive to cover repetitive and monotonous work, to help prevent RSI.

• HSE contract research report (pdf format)

Major construction companies sign up to safety revolution

Construction workers are being given the right to down tools on unsafe sites under sweeping changes introduced by the Major Contractors Group. A report in the 21 June issue of trade journal Construction News says a health and safety charter launched by the industry’s biggest players promises a revolution in site culture. The report says: 'The majors are setting-up safety committees on all member sites containing at least 25 workers. And builders will be able to stop work if they feel at risk with the promise of no victimisation for raising health and safety fears. All 23 members of the MCG - who turnover £23 billion a year - have signed up for charter.' Companies found breaking their promises will face disciplinary action and possible expulsion from the group. The report adds 'trade union safety reps will have an integral role to play' - in particular gaining rights to represent all workers on site, not just fellow employees. Construction union UCATT general secretary George Brumwell told Construction News: "This can only be good news for the industry - we will now have to ensure they stick to it. The screw has been turned over safety and it is reassuring to see the MCG put into practice their promises at the safety summit."

• Construction News story

Political fears drove asbestos disease insurance bail-out

Insurers agreed to fund a voluntary £5m rescue package for asbestosis victims to avoid souring relations with key Treasury ministers and avert a "PR disaster for the whole industry", the Association of British Insurers has disclosed. A 20 June report in the Financial Times says a letter sent by the ABI to 254 member companies immediately after the general election stresses the "political problems" raised by the collapse of Chester Street, a leading employment liability insurer. "Failure to reach a deal would have coloured the perception of the new government of the industry in the same way that pensions mis-selling did the previous government's," the letter states. The ABI had refused to bail out thousands of asbestosis victims who were faced with the prospect of losing virtually all of their compensation when Chester Street went into liquidation in February. ABI’s concessions came after a concerted TUC and union political lobbying and publicity campaign.

• FT.com: Letter sent by the ABI to member companies

RoSPA guidance on learning the lessons from safety failures

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has published new guidance on investigating incidents, as part of its preparations for European Health and Safety Week this October. Despite the much-needed emphasis on ‘proactivity’ in occupational safety and health, accident investigation remains an underdeveloped feature of modern health and safety management. Over the last ten years most organisations will have made some progress in getting to grips with risk assessment, but many are still failing to adopt a professional approach to the investigation of accidents and incidents. As a result, says RoSPA, they are still failing to learn vital lessons, which could help them, improve their overall management of health and safety.

• RoSPA briefing: Learning from safety failure

INTERNATIONAL

Unions win ILO Convention on safety and health in agriculture

Unions internationally have welcomed new global roles on health and safety in agriculture. Speaking after a new ILO convention on health and safety in the sector was agreed at June’s ILO annual congress, Ron Oswald, general secretary of IUF, the food and agricultural workers’ international union, said its passage "marks the first time that agricultural workers are formally provided in international law certain rights and safeguards, already recognised for workers in other industries". He pledged to mobilise the efforts of his affiliates to press governments for wide-scale ratification of the convention and its accompanying recommendations for adoption into national legislation. "It is particularly important that this new instrument expresses in clear language, the specific requirements for the safe use of machinery, chemicals and animal handling and risks from biological agents," Oswald concluded, indicating that his organisation had pressed hard to have language adopted to bring agriculture workers up to par on health protection issues. The TGWU’s Barry Leathwood was part of the IUF negotiating team, and he will be raising the convention with Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Margaret Beckett MP when they next meet.

• IUF news release

• ICFTU news release

• ILO news release

AUSTRALIA: Largest ever work stoppage in compensation fight

New South Wales’ largest ever mass meeting of workers has demonstrated the strong union resolve against any erosion of compensation provisions for workers affected by occupational accidents or disease. Reports in the Australian press put the total attendance at 200 protests on 27 June at 250,000 people. The protest was broadcast live by the Sky Channel. In several towns, including Wollongong, Newcastle and Dubbo, workers voted to walk off the job for 24 hours.

• News coverage

• Latest news on the Australian union compensation campaigns

USA: Teens exposed to chemicals at work

A new US study has shown that exposure to chemical toxins such as cleaning agents, bleaches and acids can cause serious harm to young workers. The report in the June issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine analysed government records of more than 300,000 reports of occupational toxic exposure to teens between 1993-1997. Over the 5-year period, 3 per cent of reports involved adolescents younger than 18 years. About 14 per cent of exposures were classified as severe, such as burns or respiratory injuries. Leading the list of toxins teens are exposed to are alkaline corrosives (13.2 per cent). Other toxins included gases and fumes (12 per cent), cleaning agents (9.7 per cent), bleaches (8.3 per cent), drugs (7.4 per cent) and acids (7.2 per cent).

• Summary of academic research article

KOREA: Cell phone usage while driving made illegal

Operating a cellular phone while driving is to be made illegal in South Korea. A 27 June report in the Korea Herald says that only when the vehicle is at a complete stop, including when waiting in front of traffic lights, may drivers chat behind the wheel. The report says the new law will be come into effect on 30 June, 'but police will not crack down until 1 August', when they will be free to impose fines. Making out-going calls on hand-free phones is also barred under the new law, however drivers may receive calls on these phones.

• Korea He r ald news r eport

ACTION

Asbestos group OEDA seeks new officers

The Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association (OEDA) is a registered charity advising anyone affected by asbestos, especially sufferers from asbestos-linked diseases and their families. The Management Committee, meeting quarterly, is seeking a new a Chair and Treasurer. An understanding of medical, scientific, health and safety, and compensation issues is required, and experience of administration, employment law, and equal opportunities would be an advantage.

• For more information, click here

EVENTS

NEW Next week, 2-8 July

The Health and Safety Commission meets on Tuesday. On Thursday, John Monks launches Creating partnerships for prevention, a joint TUC/CBI brochure. New Section 18 guidance is expected from the HSC.

European week, 15-22 October

European Health and Safety Week 2001 will have the theme 'Success is no accident'. The TUC is backing the week and will be preparing resources to help safety reps in workplace inspections, investigations and reporting. Details from the European Agency, including factsheets on accident prevention.

Law enforcement and corporate accountability, 21 November

The TUC is teaming up with the Centre for Corporate Accountability (CCA) for a joint conference to be held at Congress House in London, sponsored by Russell Jones & Walker. Registration costs £25 (£5 unwaged). Details and a downloadable registration form.

Stress, 1 December

National Work Stress Network Conference, NASUWT Hillscourt Conference Centre, Birmingham. This year the theme is 'Revitalising safety and action on workplace stress.' Contact: Ian Draper.

Women, work and health 3rd international congress, 2-5 June

The 3rd international congress will take place in Stockholm, and registration before 1 March 2002 costs £164 including VAT (not too bad for three days) - but hotel costs for single rooms range from £78 to £184 a night. President of LO Sweden Wanja Lundby-Wedin will be making the keynote address, and we are keen to ensure a bigger trade union presence than at previous events. Details and registration forms.

NEW European Week of Health and Safety 2002: 14-21 October

Next year’s week will take place in Britain from 14 October, on the theme of stress.

LINKS

Visit the TUC health and safety website or the main TUC website pages on health and safety.

Subscribe to Hazards magazine, supported by the TUC as a key source of information for union safety reps.

See what’s on offer from TUC Publications.

Find out about TUC courses for safety reps:

Wales - September-December 2001

Scotland - NEW! September-December 2001

East Midlands - September-December 2001

West Midlands - September-December 2001

Southern and Eastern

South West - September-December 2001

North West - September-December 2001

What’s new in the HSC/E and the European Agency.

HSE Books , PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165; fax: 01787 313995.

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