Health, Safety & Racism in the workplace

This project stems from the experiences of frontline workers during the pandemic, and the knowledge that Black workers make up a disproportionate minority of union health and safety representatives. Existing research has shown that sectoral and occupational segregation on the basis of race and migration status goes some way to explain the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black workers and communities. The pandemic has meant different experiences of health and safety for Black workers, often defined by direct or indirect racism and discrimination. It thus raised issues about how frontline workers are represented over health and safety and the relatively low proportion of Black workers who become health and safety reps.

This report, commissioned by the TUC, draws upon a survey and focus groups of Black workers and reps, including health and safety reps, to identify experiences of frontline workers during the pandemic and the role unions have played and could play. It records how Black workers feel that their health and safety can best be represented, potential barriers to representation and how the TUC can support a new generation of health and safety reps. 

Download report (pdf)