Month: September 2019

Scottish Parliament Debate 1 October 2019 – Review of Dog Attacks and Dog Control Laws

Scottish Parliament Debate 1 October 2019 – Review of Dog Attacks and Dog Control Laws

LTBs, 444/19 and 553/19 updated Branches on the Scottish Parliamentary Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee Review of Dog Attacks and Dog Control Legislation in Scotland.

Following extensive lobbying by the CWU, followed by both written and oral evidence given to the Scottish Public Inquiry, the Scottish Parliamentary Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee has published a very strong, hard hitting Report and Recommendations welcomed by the Union in which the MSPs agreed with the CWU that the dog laws have been ineffective.

The Scottish Government has responded to the PAPLS Committee’s Report and is due to debate the Report and response on Tuesday1st October 2019.

The Communication Workers Union has written to Ash Denham the Scottish Parliament Minister for Community Safety urging the Government to accept the Report and Recommendations in full and has also written to all MSPs of all parties asking for their support when the debate takes place and decisions are made.

This item was also covered by the Scottish Times on Sunday 29th September, a copy of which is attached.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB568 Scottish Parliament Debate 1 October 2019 – Review of Dog Attacks and Dog Control Laws

Scottish Sunday Times Sept 29 – dangerous dogs



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World Mental Health Day 10 October 2019 – Focus On Suicide Prevention: “A Day For “40 Seconds of Action”

World Mental Health Day 10 October 2019 – Focus On Suicide Prevention: “A Day For “40 Seconds of Action”

World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, is a day for us to unite in our efforts to improve the mental health of people around the world. The theme selected for this year’s Day is ‘suicide prevention.’

Last month during World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, which has been observed for more than 15 years, the World Health Organisation (WHO) working with the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) and United for Global Mental Health (UGMH) began efforts to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that everyone can play to help prevent it. The campaign will continue through to ‘World Mental Health Day’ on 10 October, emphasising that every 40 seconds someone loses their life to suicide.

On this year’s World Mental Health Day, in addition to the events and activities which have been taking place over the last month the WHO, WFMH, IASP and UGMH are encouraging everyone to prepare to take “40 seconds of action” on 10 October to help improve awareness of the significance of suicide as a global public health problem, to improve knowledge of what can be done to prevent suicide; reduce the stigma associated with suicide; and let people who are struggling know that they are not alone. Put simply, this is an opportunity to show care. Everyone can take part in whichever way makes most sense. Activity may be private, for example, initiating a conversation with someone you are worried about or sharing a message of hope with someone who is struggling; or it may be public, for example posting a video message, distributing posters, leaflets, information or writing and lobbying MPs, MSPs, MLAs about action you would like them to take on this issue.

Here are some more ideas: 

  • If you are struggling, take 40 seconds to kick-start a conversation with a family member, friend, colleague, Union Reps, MH Ambassador – about how you are feeling.
  • If you know someone who is struggling or distressed, start a conversation and ask them how they are doing.
  • Raise awareness amongst members in the workplaces in your Branch or constituency area with messages about mental health and/or preventing suicide.
  • Talk to local management and the Health and Safety managers about promoting positive messages of support to the workforce about resources available to them in the workplace or local community in times of mental distress.
  • Distribute posters, leaflets, information to the workforce in their workplaces.
  • Write and lobby MPs, MSPs, AMs, MLAs about action you would like them to take on suicide prevention and mental health.

Key facts and figures

  • Suicides are preventable.
  • One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
  • A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.
  • Suicide affects people of all age groups in all countries.

Links:

Attachments:

  • CWU – Work & Suicide Guide
  • CWU – Reps Work Stress Guide
  • Rethink Mental Health – ‘Suicidal thoughts and How to support someone’ – Factsheet
  • NHS – ‘Help For Suicidal Thoughts’ – Factsheet

Further communications on WMHD will follow.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB567 World Mental Health Day 10 October 2019 – Focus On Suicide Prevention – A Day For 40 Seconds of Action

CWU GUIDE WORK AND SUICIDE v2 January 2018 (3)

CWU Representatives Work Stress Guide(V1Sept2019)

Help For Suicidal Thoughts – NHS Factsheet

Suicidal-thoughts-how-to-support-someone-factsheet (Rethink MH)



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ROYAL MAIL TO RECRUIT NEW UK BOSS

🚨 ROYAL MAIL TO RECRUIT NEW UK BOSS 🚨

The article below published in The Times exposes Royal Mail’s plans to recruit a new UK director to work alongside Rico Back.

So a £6m golden hello, a £2.7m pay package and £2m of shares isn’t enough to convince the CEO to live and work in the UK – so we’ll get yet another overpaid executive in.

Remember though – no money for investment. No money for growth. No money for the shorter working week.

Read this and re-double your efforts to return a massive YES vote.

#WeRiseAgain 🦁

…………

TIMES

Troubled Royal Mail seeks UK boss to deliver turnaround

Royal Mail is recruiting a director to run its British operations as it heads for a showdown with postal workers and battles against slumping volumes in letters.

The 500-year-old former state-owned monopoly abolished the job a year ago when it ousted Sue Whalley, the chief executive of UK post and parcels, after a spell of dire trading. Finance director Stuart Simpson was handed the additional role of chief operating officer.

The board’s decision to appoint headhunters to fill the role again reflects consternation over its failure to get a grip on deteriorating performance in its UK business, which turns over £7.5bn and has 143,000 staff.

Royal Mail was ejected from the FTSE 100 in December and its shares are down 22% so far this year.

The new recruit will report to chief executive Rico Back, a Zurich-domiciled German who previously ran Royal Mail’s overseas interests.

Back has endured a tough time since taking the helm in June last year, incurring the wrath of investors over his £6m “golden hello”, despite being an internal appointee. Royal Mail declined to comment.

The Communication Workers Union is gearing up for a nationwide strike in the run-up to Christmas and opened a ballot on industrial action last week. Its 100,000 members are expected to strike over issues including employment terms and job security.

Adding to the company’s problems, letter volumes fell 8% in the year to March and UK operating profit was down a third to £332m. Royal Mail shares ended last week at 213.1p, valuing it at £2.1bn. They were priced at 330p in its 2013 privatisation.

Gerald Khoo, an analyst at the broker Liberum Capital, said last week that Royal Mail’s share price was “wholly unreflective of the structural challenges faced by the group that could lead to a long-term and irreversible squeeze of profit margins”. He advised investors to sell.

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RMG Slips, Trips and Falls Safety Week 7 – 12 October 2019

RMG Slips, Trips and Falls Safety Week 7 – 12 October 2019

The RMG SHE Central Team has advised that 7-12 October 2019 is Slips, Trips and Falls Safety Week.

Branches will know slip, trip and fall injuries are a significant problem in Royal Mail.  They continue to be one of the highest causes of injury and the highest reason for accident absence.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department would request that ASRs assist in promoting this week, including carrying out slip/trip activity in units during this week.

The RMG SHE Teams in the regions will be supporting this initiative, and attached to this LTB is a range of safety related material promoting activities during the week.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB565 RMG Slips Trips and Falls Safety Week 7 – 12 October 2019

ASR Tasks – Slips and Trips 2019

Slip Trip Plasma Screen slides

STF Huddle Fleet Slippery Surfaces & Obstructions

STF Huddle Indoor Slippery Surfaces & Obstructions

STF Huddle Obstructions

STF Huddle Slippery Surfaces

STF Huddle Steps

 

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National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) have informed us of this Climate Change 1-day Conference event taking place on Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm at the National Education Union (NEU), Regent High School, Chalton Street London NW1 1RX.

This one-day Conference is aimed at workers and students from across the world of education to discuss, in plenaries and workshops, how we can work together to bring about the change we so desperately need. Student strikes have inspired a generation of new activists and pushed the climate emergency to the top of the political agenda.

Speakers confirmed so far:

  • Kevin Courtney – NEU General Secretary School Climate Striker
  • Zamzam Ibrahim – President NUS
  • Amelia Womack – Deputy Leader of the Green Party
  • Professor Joy Carter – University of Winchester
  • Richard Dunne – Head teacher at Ashley Primary School
  • Henry Greenwood – Green School Project
  • Farhana Yamin – Extinction Rebellion
  • Suzanne Jeffery – Campaign against Climate Change

For tickets and further information:

www.climate_emergency.eventbrite.co.uk/

Description

Student strikes have pushed the climate emergency to the top of the political agenda. Join this one-day conference to explore what climate breakdown means for education, how we can re-shape the curriculum and how educators and students can come together to take action for climate justice.

With activists from the school strike movement, Kevin Courtney (General Secretary, National Education Union), Zamzam Ibrahim (President, National Union of Students), Farhana Yamin (international climate change lawyer, Extinction Rebellion activist), Amelia Womack (Deputy Leader of the Green Party), Professor Peter Piper (University of Sheffield), Labour for a Green New Deal and many more.

Workshops include: 

  • How to declare a climate emergency at your school or college
  • What does solidarity with school strikes look like?
  • Philosophy for children: Thinking together about climate justice
  • Voices above the coal: Using art to explore extractivism
  • Debunking denial: The science of climate change
  • Building in the workplace: Reps for environmental conditions
  • Heading for extinction? Presenting the reality to students
  • Deeper than oil: Climate change as an ideological issue
  • Campaigning for a Green New Deal
  • Practical steps to green your school or college

Organisers – Tower Hamlets & The City NEU 

Organiser of Education for the Future: Climate Emergency Conference

The NEU is the largest education union in Tower Hamlets, representing over 2,500 teachers and support staff. As well as offering support to individual members, they are well organised and aim to involve members in discussion, debate and campaigning.

Contact

Education for the Future: Climate Emergency Conference at:
Regent High School
Chalton Street
London
NW1 1RX

Date and Time
Saturday, 12 October 2019
10:00 – 17:00 BST

Location
Regent High School
Chalton Street
London
NW1 1RX
View Map

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB563 National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

 



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European Health and Safety Week 21 – 27 October 2019: Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances

European Health and Safety Week 21 – 27 October 2019: Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances

The Health, Safety & Environment Department is promoting and supporting European Health & Safety Week 21-27 October. The theme is Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances.

Workers are exposed to dangerous substances in many European workplaces. Such exposures are more common than most people realise and, in fact, may occur in almost all workplaces. This presents major safety and health concerns.

A dangerous substance is any solid, liquid or gas that has the potential to cause damage to the safety or health of workers. Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin penetration or ingestion.

Workplace exposures to dangerous substances are linked to acute and long-term health issues, including:

  • respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, rhinitis, asbestosis and silicosis)
  • harm to inner organs, including the brain and the nervous system
  • skin irritation and diseases
  • occupational cancers (e.g. leukaemia, lung cancer, mesothelioma and cancer of the nasal cavity).

In addition, the presence of dangerous substances can put workers at risk of fire, explosion, acute poisoning and suffocation.

EU-OSHA’s second European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER-2) reveals that dangerous substances are most prevalent in certain sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction.

However, workers in all sectors are potentially at risk of exposure to dangerous substances. In fact, overall, 38% of European enterprises report potentially dangerous chemical or biological substances in their workplaces. Therefore, it is vital that the risks are identified and managed.

An unacceptable number of workers are exposed to dangerous substances at work throughout Europe.

Dangerous substances cause a substantial proportion of occupational diseases, which have a negative impact on workers’ quality of life and ability to work, and in some cases can be fatal.

Despite this, there is a general lack of awareness of the nature and abundance of dangerous substances at work and the risks they pose, and there has been little or no progress in reducing workers’ exposure in recent years. According to the European Survey on Working Conditions, the proportion of workers that report being exposed to chemicals for at least a quarter of their working time has not changed since 2000, remaining at around 17%.

Workplace exposure to dangerous substances must be eliminated or at least effectively managed to ensure the safety and health of workers and the economic success of businesses and society in general.

For effective occupational safety and health management, everyone — employers, managers and workers — must be on board. This is particularly important when it comes to dangerous substances, as neglecting the risks will have serious direct consequences for worker health and business survival.

  • Employers are legally obliged to carry out risk assessments to identify all potential hazards associated with dangerous substances. They must ensure that risks are managed based on a hierarchy of prevention measures.
  • Managers should motivate workers to get involved. They should ensure that workers receive regular training and easy-to-use resources.
  • Workers should understand the potential risks, be well informed of any preventive measures, feel comfortable voicing concerns and be encouraged to actively participate in finding solutions. Union safety representatives play a key role in the workplace.

Establishing a prevention culture is key. Through strong leadership and commitment to occupational safety and health and the involvement of union safety representatives, you can create a working environment that encourages everyone to take safety and health seriously and cooperate in identifying and tackling risks.

A prevention culture must be created to successfully prevent the ill health, injuries and deaths caused by dangerous substances in all workplaces across Europe.

CWU posters will be distributed to Branches. Attached to this LTB is a pdf of the poster.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB562 European Health and Safety Week 21 – 27 October 2019 Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances

19-European-HS-Week-A4

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National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) have informed us of this Climate Change 1-day Conference event taking place on Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm at the National Education Union (NEU), Regent High School, Chalton Street London NW1 1RX.

This one-day Conference is aimed at workers and students from across the world of education to discuss, in plenaries and workshops, how we can work together to bring about the change we so desperately need. Student strikes have inspired a generation of new activists and pushed the climate emergency to the top of the political agenda.

Speakers confirmed so far:

  • Kevin Courtney – NEU General Secretary School Climate Striker
  • Zamzam Ibrahim – President NUS
  • Amelia Womack – Deputy Leader of the Green Party
  • Professor Joy Carter – University of Winchester
  • Richard Dunne – Head teacher at Ashley Primary School
  • Henry Greenwood – Green School Project
  • Farhana Yamin – Extinction Rebellion
  • Suzanne Jeffery – Campaign against Climate Change

For tickets and further information:

www.climate_emergency.eventbrite.co.uk/

Description

Student strikes have pushed the climate emergency to the top of the political agenda. Join this one-day conference to explore what climate breakdown means for education, how we can re-shape the curriculum and how educators and students can come together to take action for climate justice.

With activists from the school strike movement, Kevin Courtney (General Secretary, National Education Union), Zamzam Ibrahim (President, National Union of Students), Farhana Yamin (international climate change lawyer, Extinction Rebellion activist), Amelia Womack (Deputy Leader of the Green Party), Professor Peter Piper (University of Sheffield), Labour for a Green New Deal and many more.

Workshops include: 

  • How to declare a climate emergency at your school or college
  • What does solidarity with school strikes look like?
  • Philosophy for children: Thinking together about climate justice
  • Voices above the coal: Using art to explore extractivism
  • Debunking denial: The science of climate change
  • Building in the workplace: Reps for environmental conditions
  • Heading for extinction? Presenting the reality to students
  • Deeper than oil: Climate change as an ideological issue
  • Campaigning for a Green New Deal
  • Practical steps to green your school or college

Organisers – Tower Hamlets & The City NEU 

Organiser of Education for the Future: Climate Emergency Conference

The NEU is the largest education union in Tower Hamlets, representing over 2,500 teachers and support staff. As well as offering support to individual members, they are well organised and aim to involve members in discussion, debate and campaigning.

Contact

Education for the Future: Climate Emergency Conference at:
Regent High School
Chalton Street
London
NW1 1RX

Date and Time
Saturday, 12 October 2019
10:00 – 17:00 BST

Location
Regent High School
Chalton Street
London
NW1 1RX
View Map

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB563 National Climate Emergency Conference We Demand Education For The Future Saturday 12 October 10.00 – 5.00pm

 



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World Sight Day – 10 October 2019

World Sight Day – 10 October 2019

We need more people to say ‘Yes I donate’ to cornea donation. That’s why NHS Blood and Transplant is using World Sight Day to raise awareness of cornea donation and encourage more people to sign up to donate after they die.

Corneal transplants help to restore the sight of patients across the UK every year and are only possible through the generosity of people who are willing to donate and help others. Almost anyone can donate their corneas. Age, poor eyesight or medical conditions, including cancer, are not necessarily a barrier to donation, and many people in their 70’s and 80’s have gone on to donate corneas.

This World Sight Day (October 10th) NHS Blood and Transplant is highlighting the life-changing impact of corneal transplants. Help encourage more people to talk about cornea donation with their families by sharing their social posts @NHSOrganDonor, or by using their digital assets here. Posters and leaflets are also available to order from nhsbtleaflets.co.uk.

There are downloadable cornea donation graphics here https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/get-involved/download-digital-materials/let-them-see-what-they-can-only-imagine/

I’ve also attached a pdf copy of the ‘Gift of Sight’ donor leaflet, which your members/ colleagues can order themselves via https://www.nhsbtleaflets.co.uk/Home.html (Gift of Sight materials).

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB561 World Sight Day – 10 October 2019

1718 305 Gift of sight final

 



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World Heart Day – 29 September 2019

World Heart Day – 29 September 2019

This Sunday, 29th September is World Heart Day and NHS Blood and Transplant will be raising awareness of the number of people on the heart transplant waiting list with their national press release (attached).

Across the UK, over 300 patients are waiting for a heart transplant and they are relying on an organ donor to save their life. NHS Blood and Transplant want to encourage families to talk about organ donation.

On World Heart Day itself, NHS Blood and Transplant will be highlighting the need for more paediatric donors, to highlight that it is particularly difficult to find a donor for children and babies in need of a heart. The size of the heart is important, meaning a donor of a similar size is needed. Hearts and lungs in particular need to be matched by size because of the limited space inside the chest, and also to ensure the two organs have comparable strength and do not overwhelm or under power each other.

These heart patients are relying on a person or family to say ‘yes’ to organ donation in order to save their life. NHS Blood and Transplant hope that by raising awareness families will talk about organ donation and share their decision to help save more lives.

NHS Blood and Transplant would really appreciate your support by sharing their social media posts and press items between now and Sunday 29 September using the hashtags #WorldHeartDay and #PassItOn.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB560 World Heart Day – 29 September 2019

MR0065_060919_CB_World Heart Day GENERAL FINAL FOR WEBSITE

WHD FacebookTwitter



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