Better Regulation: Better for Whom?’ Report By Professor Steve Tombs – Spotlight on the Lack of Effective Workplace Health & Safety, Standards and Regulation, Pollution and Food Safety Controls in the UK:

In July this year Professor Steve Tombs published his Report ‘Better Regulation: Better for Whom?’ which puts the spotlight on the Lack of Effective Workplace Health & Safety, Standards and Regulation, Pollution and Food Safety Controls in The UK. This week Professor Tombs made a special presentation of his report and updated findings to CWU Regional Health and Safety Forum Officers.
An estimated 29,000 deaths each year in the UK are attributable to the effects of airborne pollution. Some one million cases of foodborne illness in the UK each year result in 20,000 hospital admissions and 500 deaths. Around 50,000 people die each year as a result of injuries or health problems originating in the workplace.
These staggering figures are probably underestimates. The litany of lives shortened and health impaired to which these figures bear witness are also largely avoidable.
Yet as Professor Tombs points out, the rate of inspection and enforcement actions for environmental health, food safety and hygiene, and health and safety have all been falling. In the case of health and safety inspections by local authorities, for instance, the average business can now expect to be visited only once in every 20 years.
This is not just a problem of infrequent inspections and lax enforcement. In the name of cutting red tape, governments of all political persuasions have, for over a decade, undermined independent and effective business regulation. Budget cuts under the austerity programme have compounded the problem. So too have moves to outsource and privatise regulatory and enforcement activity.
Private companies are increasingly involved in ‘regulating’ themselves. Taken together, Professor Tombs argues, these changes may ‘mark the beginning of the end of the state’s commitment to, and ability to deliver, social protection’.
We are taught that the greatest harms faced by citizens are crimes dealt with by the police, courts and other criminal justice agencies. Professor Tombs’ Briefing makes clear that this is far from the case.
The harms he writes about are the result of political and economic decisions. They are not random happenings. The story the Briefing tells is one of ‘avoidable business-generated, state facilitated violence: social murder. And, quite remarkably, it proceeds, daily – met only by academic, political and popular silence’.
The Report is a contribution to breaking this silence. It reflects the ‘Centre for Crime and Justice Studies’ commitment to informing public understanding of the role and limitations of criminal justice processes, and to fostering a greater knowledge of the harms faced by citizens, and of how they might best be regulated and reduced.
Regulation these days is widely derided, a dirty word now by the Tory Government, equated with ‘red tape’, unnecessary rules, burdens and bureaucracy. Yet we would do well to recall that regulation of business emerged ostensibly to provide some levels of ‘social protection’ for workers, consumers and communities from the worst excesses of the industrial revolution. Thus, the regulatory agencies formed in Victorian Britain created the basis of regulatory regimes through to the present day while social protection through regulation probably reached its high point in the 1970s/80s – early 90’s, then, the emergence of neo-liberalism provided the context for a concerted attack on regulation in the name of freeing business from the burdens of red tape. As Steve Tombs’ report sets out, in the past 15 years, virtually without political, public nor academic comment, this ‘social protection state’ has been radically transformed. Specifically:
Regulation now proceeds virtually without enforcement, a result of a political initiative, ‘Better Regulation’, rolled out by Labour, Coalition and Conservative Governments.

The politics of anti-regulation have been overlain by the economics of austerity.

Austerity has particularly impacted upon regulation and enforcement at the level of local authorities.

Private businesses are increasingly involved in the business of regulation.

The agencies of social protection – such as the national Health and Safety Executive or Local Authority Environmental Health Offices – have been radically transformed to the extent that they are either unable to perform their statutory duties, or now perform protection for rather than from business, or both.

Overall, these developments have left workers, consumers and local communities more vulnerable to business-generated harms while exacerbating economic and social inequalities.
A copy of ‘Better Regulation: Better for Whom?’ Report by Professor Steve Tombs is attached for your information.
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 1 – LTB594/16 ‘Better Regulation: Better for Whom?’ Report By Professor Steve Tombs

Attachment 2 – Better Regulation Better For Whom Report

World Mental Health Day 2016
 
World Mental Health Day is the annual global celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy. Monday 10th October is World Mental Health Day, hosted by the World Federation of Mental Health. To help mark the occasion, we’re raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health problems can live with dignity. We are publishing the Mental Health Foundation Report to Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums entitled ‘Fundamental Facts about Mental Health – Executive Summary (the full report is available for download at: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/fundamental-facts-about-mental-health-2015) along with the World Federation for Mental Health publication, Dignity In Mental Health – Psychological & Mental Health First Aid For All. This is not just about one day, which is a focal point. This is very much an ongoing issue of importance. 
The problem
One in four adults and one in ten children are likely to have a mental health problem in any given year. This can have a profound impact on the lives of tens of millions of people in the UK, and can affect their ability to sustain relationships, work, or just get through the day. But an ill-informed and damaging attitude among some people exists around mental health that can make it difficult for some to seek help. It is estimated that only about a quarter of people with a mental health problem in the UK receive ongoing treatment, leaving the majority of people grappling with mental health issues on their own, seeking help or information, and dependent on the informal support of family, friends or colleagues. 
How can we challenge this?
We are confronting this stigma through facts. Facts that help us understand patterns of mental health problems, their causes and solutions. Facts that help us break down barriers in seeking help and support. We have produced an updated Fundamental Facts with the aim of distributing it to the widest audience possible. 
What is long-term answer?
At the heart of Fundamental Facts is a focus on prevention, because the best way to deal with a crisis is to prevent it from happening in the first place. For example, by providing the right information, guidance and support in childhood and adolescence, the chances of developing mental health problems can be reduced for millions of people over a lifetime. This focus on prevention is in part about what we can all do to safeguard our wellbeing, but is also about tackling the social and economic inequalities that can lead to a higher prevalence of mental health problems. 
How can you help?
This October please help by sharing Fundamental Facts on social media with family, friends and colleagues. We believe that effectively supporting people experiencing mental health problems is on target to become one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Stigmatising and discriminatory treatment can be particularly distressing when a person is experiencing a health crisis. We all have mental health and by failing to treat people with mental health problems with dignity we make it more difficult to ensure that everyone takes steps to safeguard their wellbeing and to seek help, as it can lead to self-stigma, low confidence, low self-esteem, withdrawal and social isolation. 
MHF (Mental Health Foundation)
The MHF Website for further information is at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
Attachments:
MHF Report – Fundamental Facts about Mental Health – Executive Summary
Dignity In Mental Health – Psychological & Mental Health First Aid For All
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
Attachment 2 – MHF Report Executive Summary

Attachment 3 – Dignity in Mental Health

Attachment 1 – LTB593/16 World Mental Health Day 2016

Backcare Awareness Week – 3rd – 8th October 2016

‘BackCare’ is a charity established nearly 50 years ago by a group of people who wanted to help back pain suffers. The Charity publicises and promotes the latest advice and research, from a broad range of health professionals into the causes, management and prevention of back pain. The Charity has extensive links with the NHS, Government Departments, industry and other voluntary organisations. ‘BackCare’ recognises there is not one single solution to backpain. They aim to give a balanced viewpoint on the different information, advice and therapies available. As a Charity they say that they can give unbiased advice.
The Organisation’s flagship ‘Back Pain Awareness Week’ helps people understand the real problems of back pain sufferers. Through their media campaign via press and Radio millions of people have been reached and the organisation listens to members and invite collaboration into research, into the causes, management and prevention of back pain. The Charity’s board of trustees is made up of leading healthcare professionals

The aim of the week-long event, which is organised by BackCare, the charity for healthier Backs, is to raise awareness of the problems back pain can cause, as well as prevention and treatments.
Back pain is ‘more disabilitating than any other condition’, recent studies have found and the condition may now be the leading cause of disability worldwide. One study looked at how much disability is caused by lower back pain globally. It found that lower back pain caused more disability than any other condition, affecting nearly 1 in 10 people and becoming more common with increasing age.
The condition was most common in Western Europe, followed by North Africa and the Middle East, and was lowest in the Caribbean and Latin America.
The EU Agency for Safety & Health reports that about 44 million workers in the EU have musculoskeletal disorders caused by their workplace
In the UK almost 31 million days of work were lost last year due to back, neck and muscle problems, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The ONS’s Labour Force Survey, which polls hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, found that musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which include a large range of bone and joint complaints, accounted for more prolonged absences than any other ailment.
One of the messages the organisers of ‘Backcare Week’ is to point out that many workers posture when sitting at a desk is really quite shocking – and taking breaks, standing and stretching are beneficial rather than sitting for long periods with bad posture.
Whatever you do it is very important to make sure that your work station area is set up correctly for you and simple changes can make such a big difference. Some workers can be seen with their computer keyboard too far away from them, so their arms are really outstretched, or the keyboard has been balanced precariously on a pile of documents or an uneven surface whilst the worker attempting to type!
The Charity’s ‘Backcare Shop’ has available information packs, based on back problems found at home, at work and at play. They also have a great selection of back friendly bags to help ensure that you reduce the chance of any potential back problems.
While workers might all know the best way to pick up items, boxes, parcels, equipment etc safely, they tend not to think about the effect everyday tasks have on our backs; like picking up shopping or children’s toys, things around the home, garden, garage etc.
It’s thought that 4 out of every 5 adults will experience back pain at some point in their life, so the campaign week invites you to get an information pack or obtain a selection of Information Sheets available, listed below and find out what Branches and Reps can do to run local awareness campaigns to help members prevent it. It should be stressed that local information and awareness raising campaigns on Backcare can be organised locally by Branches, Safety Reps and Safety Forums at any time, not just during the campaign week, as the problem and information is relevant all year round.
‘Backcare’s’ Top 10 Tips For A Healthy Back:
1. Exercise your back regularly – walking, swimming (especially back stroke) and using exercise bikes are all excellent to strengthen your back muscles but anything that you enjoy and helps you keep active will be beneficial.
Keep active and moving even when you have pain. Gentle walking and stretching will prevent stiffness. Also try to avoid long periods of bed rest as this is counterproductive.

Always lift and carry objects close to your body, bend your knees and your hips not your back and never twist and bend at the same time.

Try to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle as this will help prevent back pain. Quit smoking as it increases your chances of developing back pain.

Use painkillers when pain occurs to allow you to carry on being active. If pain is persistent see your GP as they may be able to prescribe stronger painkillers or investigate further.

Consider your work environment. If you work in an office look at your workspace and ways to adapt it to help you manage your back pain. If your work is more manual in nature try to be aware of and work according to health and safety procedures such as manual handling or loading procedures.

Try to carry loads in a rucksack and avoid carrying single sling bags.

Always try to maintain good posture. Avoid slumping in your chair, hunching over your desk and walking around with your shoulders hunched up.

Always use a chair with a back rest and sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Don’t forget to change your sitting position every few minutes.

If you do suffer from back pain caused or made worse by being at work, talk to your employer or HR department. They may be able to help you come up with adaptations to your work environment, patterns and activities in order to help you better manage your back pain. Information sheets made available by BackCare are provided for information only and should not be considered as medical recommendations or advice.

‘Backcare’ Information Sheets Link click here:- 
Caring for Carers Leaflet

Standards of Care

HSE Manual Handling at Work

Which Hospital Companion

Bad Backs in Cars

On Your Bike

Back in the Gym

Setting up your Workstation

Discs

Necks

Whiplash

Back Facts for Employers

Access to Work

How can your GP Help?

NICE NHS Treatment Guidelines

Bags Versus Backpacks

Self Management Courses and Support Groups

Pain Clinics, Pain Management and Functional Restoration Programmes

Long Term Pain Support Groups

Top Ten Tips for a Healthy Back

Driving with Back Pain

Exercises for a Better Back

Cycling and Back Pain

Commonly Used Medical Spinal Terminology

Choosing a Chair

Hot and Cold Therapies

Beds

Car Seats

Back Pain in the Workplace – Office Furniture

Clinical Negligence

Accident and Insurance Claims

DWP and Access to Work

Disability Rights

Patient Rights

Back Care for Drivers

Exercises for Office Workers

Physical Activity and Exercise

Physiotherapy and Back Pain

Difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractice

Chiropractic

Osteopathy

Alexander Technique

Dynamic Stabilisation Systems

Necks

Spinal Implants

Choosing a Spinal Surgeon

What to Expect After Spinal Surgery

Choosing a Spinal Surgeon

What To Do When Pain Strikes

Relaxation

Medical Acupuncture

Drugs for Pain Relief

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Nucleoplasty

TENS Pain Relief

Epidurals and Back Pain

Discography

Back Surgery

Spinal Stenosis

Coccydinia

Thoracic Spine Pain

Facet Joint Pain

Pain in Cervical Spine

Sciatica and Referred Pain

Spondylosis and Osteoarthritis

Degenerative Spinal Disease

Back Pain Show 2017
On Friday 19/Saturday 20 May 2017 at St Andrews Stadium, Birmingham, B9 4RL, ‘Backcare’ will be organising the Back Pain Show 2017 – the one-stop shop for all those who suffer from back problems along with the health professionals who look after them. Organised on behalf of Backcare – the National Back Pain Association – the exhibition will feature therapies, products and services associated with the treatment of back pain as well as a range of professional conferences, presentations and seminars. The Charity say that the show is a must for the 75 per cent of the population who are likely to experience back pain at some point in their lives. In 2017 – for the first time – they are also introducing a section on manual handling, looking at the problems caused by poor lifting and handling techniques and how with the right knowledge you can keep safe.
Become a ‘Backcare’ Member:  
​You can Join ‘Backcare’ and receive the Charity’s free monthly e-newsletter! Go to: http://www.backcare.org.uk/get-involved/become-member/
TalkBack Magazine
TalkBack is the quarterly magazine of ‘BackCare’, the UK’s national back pain charity – featuring news, views and leading edge commentary for all involved with and affected by back pain. Annual subscription is £28.00 – complete the online form at the ‘Backcare’ Website (address below). 
More Information – ‘Backcare’ Website:
For more information visit the ‘Backcare’ website for information on how best to deal with aches and pains before they turn into something more serious. Website: http://www.backcare.org.uk/
Contact details:
BackCare

Monkey Puzzle House

69-71 Windmill Road

Sunbury-on-Thames

TW16 7DT
Telephone: 0208 977 5474
Monday to Friday: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Email: info@backcare.org.uk 
Attachments:
Daily Express Article: Millions of working days lost to back pain – and it costs us £1BILLION a year

HSE – Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Statistics in GB 2015.

 
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 589/16 – Backcare Awareness Week – 3rd – 8th October 2016

LT 589 Back Pain Cost GB 1 Billion a Year

LTB 589 HSE – WRMSDs Statistics GB 2015 (2)

European Health and Safety at Work Week Monday 24 – Sunday 30 October: “Healthy Workplaces for All Ages”
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Dates:

This year the European Health and Safety Week will take place in the fourth week of October, Monday 24 – Sunday 30 October.
Theme 2016-17:

European Health and Safety Week takes place in October each year and is designed to raise awareness of health and safety at work issues and is organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health, who have published a website full of news, materials and activities. Each year, European Health and Safety Week seeks to promote good health and safety practice.
This year the theme is “Healthy Workplaces For All Ages”.
The European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (EU-OSHA):

The European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (EU-OSHA) describe the week as: “Aimed at people in organisations, companies and workplaces of all sizes and sectors. Everybody involved in occupational safety and health matters are invited to take part, especially health and safety professional bodies and institutions, occupational insurance organisations, trade unions, employers, employers organisations, companies, managers, employees and Safety Representatives.
The EU Safety and Health Agency’s 2016-2017 ‘Healthy Workplaces for All Ages’ Workplaces Campaign is focusing on the promotion of sustainable work and healthy ageing throughout working life and effective management of workplace health and safety in the context of an ageing workforce. The Agency has set up a special Website full of News, Materials and activities. The Website can be located at the following link:-
https://osha.europa.eu/en/healthy-workplaces-campaigns/2016-17-campaign-healthy-workplaces-all-ages 
HSE:

The European Health and Safety Week is being coordinated in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE has set up a Website with lots of information and Guidance at:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/european-2016/ and
http://www.hse.gov.uk/vulnerable-workers/older-workers.htm
TUC:

The TUC has produced guidance on the EU Health and Safety Week theme entitled “Health and Safety of Older Workers. (Copy Attached).
National H&S Inspection Day:

The Wednesday of European Health and Safety Week, 26th October is traditionally National Inspection Day when all Trade Union Safety Representatives are encouraged to carry out Inspections of Workplaces where their members are employed. The TUC Guide on Health & Safety Inspections and the TUC Guide on Risk Assessment are both attached (Copies Attached).
CWU Health and Safety Reps are requested to undertake targeted Inspections of Workplaces on National Inspection Day.
Union-appointed health and safety representatives have a legal right to inspect the workplace. Formal inspections of the workplace should be carried out periodically and additionally where there is higher risks, members’ complaints, incidents, near misses, change in conditions, new hazards or accidents have occurred etc. The frequency of health and safety inspections will depend on the nature of the work and risks in the workplace concerned and this is a judgement for the CWU Safety Representative to make and not the management! Inspections may be less often, for example, if the work environment is low risk, like in a predominantly administrative office. But if there are certain areas of a workplace or specific activities that are high risk or are changing rapidly, more frequent inspection may be justified, for example, high risk work or where construction projects are taking place.
The HSE state that Formal Health and Safety Inspections can take different forms and Safety Reps need to decide the best methods for the workplace. Safety Reps should plan and organise their Inspections as we approach the week. Here are some of the ways the HSE state that Inspections can take place.
Safety tours – general inspections of the workplace

Safety sampling – systematic sampling of particular dangerous activities, processes or areas

Safety surveys – general inspections of particular dangerous activities, processes or areas

Incident Inspections – carried out after a near miss (which could have resulted in an injury, or case of ill health), a dangerous occurrence or an accident.

Further information is available from the HSE on Health and Safety Inspections and can be found on the HSE Website at:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/involvement/inspections.htm
Calling All CWU Health and Safety Reps – > Get involved in Joint Working:
Achieve on health and safety – make the workplace safer and healthier for you, your members and others. Take Action on “HEALTHY WORKPLACES FOR ALL AGES”.
With increased life expectancy, no default retirement age, raising state pension age, plus poor pension provision; today and into the future, a higher proportion of workers will continue to remain in work as they age.
At the same time, apprenticeship schemes as an alternative to schooling may see more young people also entering the workplace.
Employers have the same responsibilities for the health and safety of employees, whether younger, older, or in-between.
However, they do need to consider any particularly vulnerable groups and this may include older or younger workers, or women of child-bearing age for example. Working for longer, and the fact that children now grow up with computers, may also result in longer exposure to risks (whether muscular-skeletal or otherwise).
Both employers and regulators will need to consider this, both for the current and longer term implications.
As the working population ages, it is likely that there will be more workers with disabilities or long term health problems (and not all related to work) so measures such as rehabilitation and return to work will also be of increased importance.
The good news is that good workplace design and well managed health and safety benefit all of those in the workplace, young, old, and the in-between. And of course, with today’s young workers becoming tomorrow’s older workers, it really is the case that we need healthy workplaces for all ages.
That’s why the CWU is encouraging employers and branches to work together to ensure that workplaces really are healthy for all ages.
Questions For Safety Reps To Ask on Inspections:
Are risk assessments, policies, and procedures diversity-sensitive – that is, do they consider the different hazards and risks for all workers whether younger, older, or perhaps vulnerable in some other way?

Is prevention the key focus of the employers health and safety strategy (so far as is reasonably practicable), followed by the minimisation of exposure to risks?

Are there effective rehabilitation and return to work procedures?

Are workplaces, the work, and equipment adapted to fit the individual? For example are they ergonomic, do they reduce manual handling, and are there opportunities for job rotation?

Safety Reps – Why get involved?  
CWU members are safer and healthier in workplaces because of the Union’s army of active, trained, experienced, dedicated safety reps and where hazards are risk assessed. 

Promoting the campaign during European Health and Safety Week provides an opportunity to engage with the employer and managers on workplace hazards, rehabilitation, and return to work. 

Health and safety is important to workers, it’s important to the CWU, and it’s also important to our customers as many of our members work in local communities. Remember a safe and healthy workplace and job, is also a safe place for customers and the community.

Health and safety is important to workers, it’s important to the CWU, and it’s also important to our customers as many of our members work in local communities. Remember a safe and healthy workplace and job, is also a safe place for customers and the community.

How To Get Involved In EU H&S Week:
Promoting the campaign during European Health and Safety Week provides an opportunity to engage with the employer and managers on workplace hazards, rehabilitation, and return to work.

CWU members are safer and healthier in workplaces because of the Union’s army of active, trained, experienced, dedicated safety reps and where hazards are risk assessed. 

Regional Safety Forums – meet and discuss a common approach to the EU H&S Campaign week. 

Safety Reps – meet and speak with your members. 

Encourage Members and potential members – to raise their concerns about workplace health and safety hazards together. 

Safety Reps – campaign, recruit and organise – on issues of local concern and get results! 

Inspect the workplace or investigate members and non-members (potential recruits) complaints and submit a report and put the matters on the Health and Safety Committee Agenda. 

Hold a Union workplace meeting to raise awareness, during lunch time if this will increase turnout, and invite non-members to demonstrate what the Union does on Health and Safety – use Union Health and Safety and Recruitment materials. 

Carry out a body or risk mapping exercise – a simple, effective, and fantastic way to identify the areas of concern at your member’s workplace. 

Survey the workforce and members with a simple questionnaire to identify health and safety concerns they feel are important. 

Work with the Safety Advisors and Managers to implement Safety Standards and policies and procedures relevant to concerns at the workplaces to improve compliance. 

Jointly review relevant safety standards and risk assessments, policies, and standard operating procedures with the Safety Advisors and Managers. 

Hold a “spot the hazards” campaign. 

Cover the theme of healthy workplaces for all ages in a local Branch newsletter or on the Branch Website.

TUC/CWU Hazards Manual guidance: 

The CWU European Health and Safety Week Poster will be attached as a pdf copy and hard copies of the Poster will be mailed Out to Branches and Regional Health and Safety Forums for display in workplaces.
CWU European Health & Safety Week 2016 Poster:

The TUC/CWU Hazards Manual contains lots of guidance on:- risk assessment; safety rep inspections; the ageing workforce; disability and health and safety; gender safety and health; the menopause and work; sickness absence; young workers; older workers.
Attachments:- 
TUC Guide – “The Health & Safety Of Older Workers” 

TUC Guide – “Health & Safety Inspection”

TUC Guide – Risk Assessment

CWU European Health & Safety Week 2016 Poster: 

Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 588/16

LTB 588/16 Poster

LTB 588 Guide Health and Safety Inspections

LTB 588 Risk Assessment

LTB 588/16 TUC Guide

Stand Up To Cancer’ – 21 October 2016 
‘Stand Up To Cancer’ is a charitable program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). It aims to raise significant funds for translational cancer research through online and televised efforts. Central to the program is a telethon that was televised by three major broadcast networks. On Friday 21 October, live on Channel 4 will be the special ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ telethon 2016. 
1 in 2 people will be affected by cancer in their lifetime meaning everyone is affected in some way, or will be. But we can do something about it. 100% of the money raised for and donated to ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ will fund research into new tests and treatments for cancer patients right here in the UK. The Stand Up To Cancer initiative aims to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected by cancer. 
It’s time to overthrow cancer by any means necessary say the organisers who are calling on everyone to Join them and tune in on 21 October, pledge their support, indulge your rebellious side and fundraise ‘however-the-hell-you-want’. As long as it’s raising money. 
The money raised for ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ funds clinical trials and projects that are finding new ways to take on cancer. Like that of Dr Colin Watts, who’s trialling a method that makes brain cancer cells glow bright pink – helping surgeons like him to remove them. You can watch an animation to see how this new science works, and how it could help us treat brain cancer in the future. 
Stand Up To Cancer’ has announced that BT are now Lead Sponsor for Stand Up To Cancer. That means they’ll be doing whatever they can to help raise money and kick cancer off its perch, from exclusive TV shows to staff fundraising across the country. 
This isn’t the first time that BT has stood up to cancer, they’ve been part of our fight since the launch of Stand Up To Cancer in the UK, in 2012, but this year, they are supersizing their support. They’ll be calling on BT staff and customers to join them in raising money to help fund ground breaking translational research, sending staff across the country out to collect donations in local towns and rail stations on the 21st October, amongst other things. 
There’ll be the return of the Crystal Maze – sponsored by BT and featuring some of BT Sport’s own presenters and ambassadors! Then following the ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ live show, on October 21st, BT Sport on Saturday 22nd October will follow on by hosting some of favourite Stand Up To Cancer stars across TV football shows on the day! 
For more information go to the Stand Up To Cancer Website at:- http://www.standuptocancer.org.uk 
Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 583/16 ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ – 21st October 2016

BAME Officers’ Toolkit
We have now completed the BAME Officers’ Toolkit. A copy has been put on the Equal Opportunities section of the web under fact sheets. We also attach a copy of this as an LTB.
The Equality department and the Race Advisory Committee are sure our BAME officers will find this toolkit a useful piece of information. Please inform BAME officers of its availability.
Yours sincerely
 
Linda Roy
Head of Equality
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 578/16 – BAME Officers’ Toolkit

Attachment 1: BAME Officers’ Toolkit

Black Workers’ Conference
Following the Advisory Committee Joint meeting on Monday 3rd October the RAC met to discuss the motions on the Agenda for the Black Workers Conference and agreed the following.
Motion 1 Support
Motion 2 Support
Motion 3 Support
Motion 4 Support
Motion 5 Support
Motion 6 Support
Motion 7 Support
Motion 8 Support
Motion 9 Support
Motion 10 Support
Motion 11 Support
Motion 12 Support
Motion 13 Support
Motion 14 Support
Motion 15 Support
Motion 16 Support
 
Yours sincerely
 
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
 
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 586/16 – Black Workers’ Conference

Disability Conference Policy
 
Please find below the policy on motions at the CWU Disability Conference.
 
Motion 1 – Support
Motion 2 – Support
Motion 3 – Support
Motion 4 – Support
Motion 6 – Support
Motion 7 – Support
Motion 8 – Support
Motion 9 – Support
Motion 10 – Support – Seek Statement/oppose
Motion 11 – Support
Motion 12 – Support
Motion 13 – Support
 
Yours sincerely
 
 
Linda Roy
Assistant Secretary
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 585/16 – Disability Conference Policy

CWU 25 YEAR CERTIFICATES 
Branches will be aware of our current policy of issuing a certificate to commemorate 25 years’ service when that milestone is achieved by our members. 
Recently, it has emerged that there is a historic problem associated with our database which has caused a very small number of certificates to be issued in error. (The number of certificates affected is no more than 3 or 4 in any one month). 
The problem has arisen because of a practice, ceased long ago, of joining dates on the membership record system being reset whenever a member moved from fully paid up membership into retired membership. 
This means that occasionally 25 year membership certificates are issued when an individual has completed 25 years of retired membership rather than membership overall. 
The purpose of this LTB is to alert branches to this issue. While the numbers may be small, CWU headquarters is aware that individual members value these certificates highly and errors associated with them are keenly felt. 
Where such errors arise, we would ask that the member themselves or branch officers contact membership records department (membership@cwu.org) in order to have the individual’s membership record reset to show the correct date of joining. 
I can assure branches that the practice or resetting the joining date when an individual moves in to the retired membership category was ceased more than 15 years ago. However, having discussed this matter in detail with the administrators for the membership database, it seems that the above advice is the most proportionate and appropriate to address this issue. 
Any queries on this LTB should be addressed to my office at CWU headquarters. 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Simon Sapper

National Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
LTB 584/16 – 25 Year Certificates

Low Level Letter Boxes & The CWU ‘Low Level Letter Box Campaign’

The Communications Workers Union has been campaigning to outlaw low level letterboxes for many years. The CWU has been striving for the European Standard (EN13724) to be added to U.K building regulations- this requires letterboxes being at a height accessible to postal workers, significantly reducing possible injuries such as, dog bites, fingers being trapped or back strain caused when bending excessively to reach ground level boxes.
This issue was first raised as far back as 1958 when the British Standards Agency deemed it appropriate that letter boxes be at a proper height. Unfortunately it was not enshrined into building standards Law. Half a century later and several high profile campaigns later the problem still exists. The Union would stress that it does not expect householders or businesses to change their doors immediately – rather we hope government will see merit in minimalising the risk of injury to CWU members by passing legislation to cover the manufacture of all new and replacement doors. 
A similar campaign run by the CWU’s sister union in the Republic of Ireland resulted in all low level letterboxes being banned back in 2001 and given the fact that Royal Mail has by Law an obligation to deliver to each of the 28,000,000 UK addresses the CWU feel the time has come to standardise letter box height and safe design well above ground level. 
The problems with low level letter boxes is that there are around back injuries to postmen and women occur each year in Royal Mail and delivering to low level letter boxes at the base of a house front door forces postal staff to stoop to ground level whilst carrying mail items and this can cause back strain. Low Level Letter boxes also present an increased risk of dog bites when the mail is pushed through the aperture at ground level.
The CWU therefore considers that the Government should implement the specifications set out in current European Standard (EN 13724) covering private letter boxes. The government has on several occasions rejected calls from the CWU to enact European building regulation standard EN13724 outlawing low level letter boxes by enshrining the standard in Law. In 2002 the European Standard EN 13724 was introduced and states that for “ergonomic and safety reasons” the centreline of the letter box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm (2 ft 3.5 inches) 1700mm (5ft 7inches). 
The Union has won the support of Royal Mail Group as well as many influential bodies and organisations during its campaign including the HSE, National House-Building Council, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services.
Sadly, all governments have rejected our call to amend the regulations. This was despite the fact that both the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and Royal Mail supported the Union’s Campaign and the fact that we gained the support of over 100 MPs from all Parties who signed an Early Day Motion to the government supporting the CWU.  
Therefore we are left with a situation whereby we have to challenge developments piecemeal and the Union has therefore had to make representations to developers and builders locally, regionally and Nationally on this matter and has been able to successfully convince developers, local authorities at other to change the specifications of front door letter plates and letter boxes when new developments or refurbishments have come to our attention where the EU Standard was not going to be followed and we’ve been able to act in time. However this is not an easy task with large scale house building programmes and developments underway across the UK. In 2014-15 – 125,000 homes were built in the UK and the Government intends to raise that to 200,000 a year totaling a million by the end of the parliament. The risk of more low level letterboxes therefore is an increasing risk. 
From time to time it comes to the attention of CWU that the houses being built by developers or estates being refurbished and dwellings are being fitted with front doors which have Low Level Letter Boxes, in breach of the EU Standard. 
Despite our great efforts, Low Level Letter Boxes continue to be fitted, much to the disadvantage of our Royal Mail delivery members. Therefore would Branches, Officials, Health and Safety Representatives, Regional Committees and members join together in being vigilant in respect of Housing development in your areas and Regions in order to react quickly to the fitting of low level letter boxes and consider appropriate proactive action that can be taken by way of discussions, meetings and correspondence with Local Authorities and developers in your areas and Regions requesting compliance with the EU letter box standard. Let’s also hope that Brexit doesn’t see this standard along with many other good standards end up on a Tory Government ‘bonfire’ of regulations in a couple of years’ time when the UK formerly exits the EU.
To assist, please see attached:-
Summary Document on European Regulation: EN 13724 for Postboxes (Safety Letterbox Company)

National House Building Council Technical Newsletter To Members – Giving Direction on Compliance with European Regulation: EN 13724

Example (Model) Letters and successful replies from Bovis Homes and Bett Homes.

Yours sincerely
 
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 
Email Attachments – Click to download LTB 582/16 Low Level Letter Boxes & The CWU ‘Low Level Letter Box Campaign’

LTB 582 Chiltern Ferry

LTB 582 Upper Camborne

LTB 582 Bovis Reply

LTB 582 Recommended Letter Box Height

European Standard