The EU Six Pack Health & Safety Regulations – CWU Fact Sheet 

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

In January 1992, six regulations on Health and Safety at Work were introduced. The requirements of these Regulations spelled out in detail what a responsible employer needs to do to comply with the requirements of EU Law and the UK’s 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act, the ‘umbrella Act’ under which the Regulations were introduced. 

The ‘six-pack’ is the name given to this group of most widely quoted sets of health and safety regulations. They came into effect in Britain after six European directives, collectively known as the ‘six-pack’, were issued by the European Commission. 

The main set of regulations is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, also known as the ‘Management Regs’. They place a legal duty on employers to carry out a risk assessment as a first step in ensuring a safe workplace, and lie at the heart of the modern approach to health and safety at work in the UK.

Other ‘six-pack’ regulations cover, in summary, heating, lighting and ventilation at work, the safe use of computer screens and keyboards, handling heavy or awkward loads, rest breaks, and personal protective equipment. 

The importance of the ‘six pack’ regulations is shown by the fact that the Health and Safety Executive issue around 4,000 enforcement notices every year under the six regulations, and achieve over 200 convictions a year, a figure that sees fines increasing every year under the new sentencing council guidelines. 

The EU Six Pack of Regulations is explained in summary in the attached CWU Fact Sheet for Health and Safety Reps information and easy reference.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations

Manual Handling Operations Regulations

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations

Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations

These important regulations have played an important role in the health and safety regime of the UK and as a result, the TUC, all UK Union and the Health and Safety Professional bodies are campaigning for their retention after ‘Brexit’.

The Regulations were introduced by the Secretary of State under the ‘Umbrella Act’ and central piece of UK Health and Safety Legislation, the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, summarised below:-

The Health and Safety at Work Act

Health and safety law is very wide ranging. Most of it is not made through Acts of Parliament but by regulations.

The right to make regulations on health and safety was given to the Secretary of State under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

This Act, which came into force in 1975, was designed to ensure that all workers in all occupations were covered by health and safety legislation. Rather than have lots of different laws covering different groups, it provided a framework within which health and safety could be regulated by creating one simple system of law dealing with all aspects of health and safety of people at work.

The Act is written in very general terms and the duties on employers are qualified with the words ‘as far as is reasonably practicable‘. This means that employers have often argued that the costs of a particular safety measure are not justified by the reduction in risk which the measure would produce. The following are the main sections of the Act.

The following are the main sections of the Act:

Section 1

This states the general purpose of Part 1 of the Act, which is aimed at:

Maintaining or improving standards of health, safety and welfare of people at work.

Protecting other people against risks to health and safety arising out of work activities.

Controlling the storage and use of dangerous substances.

Controlling certain emissions into the air from certain premises.

Section 2

This puts a general duty on employers to:

Ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of their employees.

Consult them concerning arrangements for joint action on health and safety matters, and in certain circumstances, at the request of duly appointed or elected trade union safety reps, to establish safety committees.

Prepare and publicise a written statement of their safety policy and arrangements.

Sub-section (4) of this section of the Act makes provision by regulations for the appointment of workers’ safety reps by recognised trade unions.

Section 3

This places a general duty on employers and the self-employed to ensure that their activities do not endanger anybody, and, in certain circumstances, to provide information to the public about any potential hazards to health and safety.

Section 4

This places a duty on anybody responsible for places of work to ensure that premises themselves, as well as plant and machinery in them, do not endanger people using them.
Section 5

Controllers of premises as a prescribed class must use the best practicable means to prevent emissions into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances and to render harmless and inoffensive such substances as may be emitted.
Section 6

This places duties on anyone who designs, manufacturers, imports or supplies an article or substance for use at work to ensure, so far as it is under their control, that the article or substance is safe when used in accordance with information supplied by them. The duty extends to the provision of necessary information and the carrying out of necessary testing, inspection and research. Those who install plant also have a duty to ensure that it is safely installed.

Section 7

This places duties on employees to take reasonable care to ensure that they do not endanger themselves or anyone else who may be affected by their work activities; and to co-operate with employers and others in meeting statutory requirements.

Section 8

This places a duty on everyone not to misuse anything provided in the interests of health or safety at work under a statutory requirement.

Section 9

This provides that no employer may charge their employees for anything done or equipment provided for health or safety purposes under a statutory requirement.

Section 15

This section allows the Secretary of State to make regulations on health and safety under the Act.

Section 28 (8)

This requires Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors to supply certain information on health, safety and welfare matters affecting safety to workers or their representatives.

To see what the Act means in practice, it is necessary to look at the regulations made under the Act (E.g. The Six-Pack), or the official approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) and guidance.

Attachment:- The EU Six Pack Health & Safety Regulations – CWU Fact Sheet.

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

 

 

Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 364/17 The EU Six Pack Health & Safety Regulations – CWU Fact Sheet

The EU Six Pack

KEN MCKENZIE AWARD FOR LIFELONG LEARNING 2017Dear Colleagues,

Branches will be aware of the policy adopted at General Conference 2010 to present the “Ken McKenzie Award for Lifelong Learning” which is presented to a Union Learning Representative (ULR) or group of ULRs who have made a significant contribution to lifelong learning within the CWU. The award is presented each year at our CWU ULR National Networking Event. This year will follow tradition and be part of the agenda at this year’s event scheduled to be held in Blackpool over two days on the 8th and 9th November 2017.

Last year the accolade was awarded jointly to Mel Cambridge (Scotland No. 2), Neil Crothall (Great Western) and Gavin Hardie (Plymouth & East Cornwall) and as usual we received a good number of nominations of a very high quality. 

I am now inviting applications for the 2017 Annual Ken McKenzie award for lifelong learning. The award will be made in recognition of exceptional achievements and contributions to lifelong learning and training by a CWU ULR or a group of CWU ULRs. Nominations can be made by Branches, Regional Learning Committees or Regional Committees by completing the attached nomination form.

Completed nominations should include a detailed précis of the nominated ULR or group of ULRs endeavours and achievements and be sent to:

Michelle Simpson, Education and Training Department, CWU, 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX or email learn@cwu.org

The closing date for nominations will be FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2017.

Any queries relating to this LTB should be addressed to me via the Education and Training Department at learn@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

 

TRISH LAVELLE

HEAD OF EDUCATION & TRAINING

Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 362/17 – KEN MCKENZIE AWARD FOR LIFELONG LEARNING 2017

Nomination Form

Sun Poisoning or Severe Sunburn Warning:To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

This LTB and information is being issued further to advice issued annually to assist Branches and Safety Reps in conveying important Sun Safety information to outdoor workers.

2017 is set to be the hottest year on record, according to a global forecast by the Met Office. The Met Office long-range prediction forecast suggests that by the end of 2017 we will have seen four record years in a row for temperatures with this month hitting 35C (95F).

Don’t Underestimate The Dangers Of Sun Poisoning

Everybody loves to make the most of it when the sun comes out, which is great as sunlight is good for the bones and for our overall health. However, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause inflammation of the skin, otherwise known as sunburn. Extended overexposure can lead to sun poisoning, which is a more severe form of sunburn. Unfortunately, most people underestimate the potential danger of sun poisoning. If you’ve spent too much time in the sun and are feeling sun poisoning symptoms, don’t just dismiss them. You need immediate care to alleviate these symptoms and prevent potential long term effects.

Why is Sun Poisoning Dangerous?

Sunburn or sun poisoning early in life puts you at a higher risk for developing skin cancer later on. However, frequent overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun causes untold damage to the skin and eyes. It increases the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness and also causes the skin to dry out leading to premature wrinkling and scarring.

Recognizing Sun Poisoning Symptoms

If you’ve stayed out in the sun too long, some of the immediate symptoms of sunburn that you will see are that you feel dehydrated and your skin is red, flushed and tender and even the slightest touch causes pain. A few days after the exposure, your skin may begin to blister or swell or peel or in severe cases, it may develop rashes or welts. Limited exposure to the sun may have milder symptoms that could range from skin redness to skin irritation or mild pain.

Prolonged overexposure to the sun could cause sun poisoning, which has more severe symptoms.

Severe sunburn or sun poisoning can cause symptoms such as the following:

Fever and chills

Headache

Dizziness or disorientation

Dehydration

Nausea

Facial Swelling

Rapid breathing and rapid pulse

Pain and tingling

Skin redness, severe blistering and soreness

Shock with loss of consciousness

Heat stroke (Heat stroke is a severe form of hyperthermia and is considered a medical emergency)

Risk Factors for Sun Poisoning

The intensity of your sun poisoning symptoms depends upon several factors including:-

Your skin type: Lighter coloured skin is more susceptible to sun burn.

The time, duration and season of the exposure: UV rays are strongest at noon and immediately before and after noon (between 10 am and 3 pm) and especially so in summer and spring.

Medications you may be taking: Some drugs are sun-sensitizing and have been proven to increase a person’s susceptibility to sun poisoning.

Measures for Preventing Sun Poisoning

The best way to prevent sun poisoning is to avoid spending too much time in the sun, especially in direct sunlight in the middle of a hot summer’s day. When you do go out in the sun, wear protective clothing – a large brimmed hat, loose long-sleeved shirt and long trousers and wear protective sunscreen over all exposed parts of the skin. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while spending time in the sun. While mild sunburn can be easily managed by drinking a lot of water and applying a dampened cloth over the affected areas followed by application of a soothing cream, if you have the symptoms of sun poisoning, it is best to seek medical care as soon as possible.

Skin Cancer – Facts, Prevention & Detection

Almost all skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) from the sun and/or sunbeds.

All skin types can be damaged by exposure to UVR. Damage is permanent, irreversible and increases with each exposure.

Skin cancer is the UK’s most common and fastest rising cancer.

Malignant melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults (aged 15-34) in the UK.

More people die from skin cancer in the UK than Australia.

Over 80% of all Skin Cancers are caused by over-exposure to the Sun and/or Sunbeds making the majority of all skin cancers preventable with sun safety measures.

The UV Index

The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. The index provides UK intensity levels on a scale of 0 to 10+, where 0 is minimal risk and 10+ means very high risk. The aim of the index is to warn people of increased risk and encourage them to change their behaviour in order to protect themselves against risks of skin cancer and skin damage. The UV Index does not exceed 8 in the UK (8 is rare; 7 may occur on exceptional days, mostly in the two weeks towards the end of June). Indices of 9 and 10 are common in the Mediterranean area. However even the moderate exposure category level requires people to take precautions.

The UV index can be checked on the TV Weather Forecasts, at the BBC or at the Met Office Website at:-

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/health/public/uvindex#?tab=map&map=MaxUVIndex&zoom=5&lon=-4.00&lat=55.71&fcTime=1464566400

UV index

Index

Exposure & Met Office Advice

1-2

Low – Safe to be outside

3-5

Moderate – Wear a wide-brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and use Sunscreen – Cover up, Seek Shade – Drink Plenty of Water

6-7

High – Wear a wide-brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and use Sunscreen – Cover up, Seek Shade – Drink Plenty of Water

8-10

Very high – Wear a wide-brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and use Sunscreen – Cover up, Seek Shade – Drink Plenty of Water

11

Extreme – Wear a wide-brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and use Sunscreen – Cover up, Seek Shade – Drink Plenty of Water

CWU “Sun Smart & Skin Safe” Campaign Pocket Fact Cards and Posters

These cards and posters have been produced for CWU Branches, for distribution to all our outdoor workers and workplaces as part of our Union’s annual campaign to lift the awareness of our members to the now very serious growing risk of sun burn and skin cancer as well as heat stress, stroke and dehydration.

Branches and Regional Health and Safety Forums can purchase additional posters and pocket fact cards from CWU HQ:

A batch of 10 posters = £1.40; and 50 posters = £7.00

A batch of 10 pocket fact cards = 68p; and 50 pocket fact cards = £2.89

Contact details for orders: Debby Akerman Post and Repro Department at CWU HQ dakerman@cwu.org T: 0208 971 7218

Attachments:

Sun Smart Leaflet/Pocket Card

Sun Smart Poster

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB358/17 Sun Poisoning or Severe Sunburn Warning:

Attachment 2 – Sun Smart Poster

Attachment 3 – Sun Smart Skin Safe Fact Cards

New Structure in Delivery 

Following our joint communication sent out on 12th June, we wanted to keep you updated on the discussions that are taking place regarding the delivery structure changes and what it may mean to you.

 

As you are aware, changes to the leadership structure are underway within the Delivery operation, introducing Operations Managers and Performance Coaches to replace Head of Delivery Performance, Delivery Sector Managers (DSMs) and Optimisation Champions. Following recent assessments, for these roles, the candidates are now being informed of their personal outcomes.

 

With regards to your roles, DSM support, consultation has commenced between Royal Mail and the CWU to consider the impact and potential changes to the administrative support roles as a result of the new structure. These discussions are at an early stage and as such no final decisions have been made.

 

Both parties are committed to working jointly with the aim of creating defined roles equipped to best support the new Delivery structure within a timely manner.

 

Discussions between Royal Mail and the CWU will continue over the coming weeks and we will keep you updated with progress.

 

This will be a challenging time for all of our colleagues in Delivery and we are fully committed to jointly providing support to all our administrative support colleagues who will be affected by the design changes over the coming weeks.

 

If you have any questions please contact either Royal Mail at delivery.simplify@royalmail.com

or your Union via Andy Furey’s office at lsheridan@cwu.org 

Safety Industry Urges Prime Minister Theresa May to End Health & Safety Deregulation following Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster: To: All Branches 

Dear Colleagues, 

The UK Government has been urged to scrap its approach to deregulation of health and safety legislation in the light of the Grenfell Tower blaze.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, over 70 leading organisations and figures from the UK’s safety and health profession, including the CWU have written to the PM and jointly called for a political sea change in attitude towards health and safety regulation and fire risk management following the tragedy.

The collective has also pressed the Government to complete its review of Part B of the Building Regulations 2010 – the regulations which cover fire safety within and around buildings in England – as a matter of urgency, and to include a focus on improved safety in the forthcoming Parliament.

The letter is signed by all four leading UK health and safety professional bodies including IOSH, IIRSM, RoSPA and the British Safety Council.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) are signed up.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) and a number of Unions – Unite and CWU have also given it their backing, alongside senior health and safety professionals from across the UK with more sure to join in.

There is a collective belief that this is a turning point for fire safety awareness and that it’s totally unacceptable for residents, members of the public, workers and the emergency services to be exposed to this level of preventable risk in modern-day Britain, the letter to the PM states.

The letter continues; At this crucial time of national reflection and sorrow, we urge all politicians to re-emphasise the need for effective health and safety regulation and competent fire risk management. These are fundamental to saving lives and sustaining our communities.

The organisations have expressed the strong belief that it is vital that this disaster marks a turning point for improved fire safety awareness and wider appreciation that good health and safety is an investment, not a cost.

In calling on the UK Government to complete its review of Part B of The Building Regulations 2010, the signatories to the letter have offered their organisations’ support in undertaking the review as the organisations have valuable links to experts in this area who can advise on best regulatory outcomes. In the meantime, the Government’s commitment to act and to implement the interim findings of the forthcoming public inquiry is welcomed.

Ironically, in LTB 215/2016, issued back in April, we published the crucially important research report ‘Better Regulation – Better for whom?’ by Professor Steve Tombs which looked in great depth and detail at the deregulation of Health and Safety in the UK and the lack of effective Local Government Regulation. Professor Tombs was also our guest speaker at the 2017 CWU Conference Health and Safety fringe Meeting where well over 100 CWU Conference delegates listened to an intriguing presentation of Steve’s research. He highlighted the plummeting rate of safety inspections and enforcement across the piece (by the HSE, Local Authorities and the Fire Service) and the move to ineffective self-regulation which invariably leads to inaction. With some powerful words Professor Steve Tombs summed up the present day situation by saying “The growing harm to people’s health and the numerous deaths are ‘avoidable business-generated, state facilitated violence and social murder. And, quite remarkably, it proceeds, daily – met only by academic, political and popular silence.” Hopefully, the wider public and politicians now cornered and on the spot, following the Grenfell Tower disaster will start to take it seriously. 

The PM has been told that she has the power to remove immediately a further risk to people at work and outside of the workplace – unwise deregulation – which threatens public and worker safety. 

The collective of health and safety leaders and major stakeholders in the UK, are therefore as one in calling on the Prime Minister to scrap the Government’s approach to health and safety deregulation and think again!

The Open letter to the Prime Minister, in full, is as follows:

The Rt Hon Theresa May MP

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

LONDON

SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Grenfell Tower Fire and Health & Safety Deregulation:

There have, understandably, been strong public reactions to the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower and its tragic consequences – the largest civilian loss of life from a single event in the UK since the Hillsborough disaster.

The occupational safety and health community is deeply saddened and disturbed by the Grenfell Tower fire and all the lives it claimed. We believe it is totally unacceptable for residents, members of the public and our emergency services to be exposed to this level of preventable risk in modern-day Britain. 

Central Government and the Kensington and Chelsea local authority share responsibility for building standards and their enforcement locally, as well as for the funding and management of the maintenance of social housing. These responsibilities must be backed up with good, essential regulations. 

However, for many years, Ministers and others with influence over them have called for, including in health and safety, regulations to be axed as a matter of principle. Arbitrary rules were imposed to establish deregulation of health and safety, such as a requirement to abolish two health and safety regulations (and more recently, three) for any new one adopted.  

This mind-set has meant that, even when it was recommended and accepted that mandatory fitting of sprinklers would make homes or schools safer, this was rejected in favour of non-regulatory action. In practice, this approach favours inaction. 

Good, well-evidenced and proportionate regulations in health and safety, based on full consultation, are developed and adopted because they save lives and protect people’s health and wellbeing. They are not “burdens on business” but provide essential protection for the public from identifiable risks.  

At this crucial time of national reflection and sorrow, we urge all politicians to re-emphasise the need for effective health and safety regulation and competent fire risk management. These are fundamental to saving lives and sustaining our communities. 

We believe it is vital that this disaster marks a turning point for improved fire safety awareness and wider appreciation that good health and safety is an investment, not a cost. 

We call on the Government to accelerate and confirm the timeframe for completing its review of Part B of the Building Regulations 2010 and to include a focus on improved safety in the forthcoming Parliament.

Together, we offer our organisations’ support in undertaking the review – we all have valuable links to experts in this area who can advise on best regulatory outcomes.

In the meantime, we welcome the Government’s commitment to act and to implement the interim findings of the forthcoming public inquiry. 

You have it in your power to remove immediately a further risk to people at work and outside of the workplace – unwise deregulation – which threatens public and worker safety.  

We, leaders in health and safety in the UK, call on you to scrap the Government’s approach to health and safety deregulation and think again. This could be announced immediately; it does not need to await the results of a public inquiry, and is the least that the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire deserve.

Yours sincerely

 

………………….

​Those Signing the Letter and others sending similar communications:- 

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

British Safety Council

International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM)

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)

National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)

Park Health and Safety

Trades Union Congress (TUC)

Unite the union

Communication Workers Union

Lawrence Waterman OBE

Graham Parker, President IOSH

Bev Messinger, Chief Executive IOSH

Errol Taylor, Acting Chief Executive RoSPA

Lynda Armstrong OBE, Chair BSC

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive BSC

Anne Godfrey, Chief Executive CIEH

Peter Crosland, Civil Engineering Director CECA

Siobhan Donnelly, President IIRSM

Phillip Pearson, Chief Executive IIRSM

Stephen Asbury CFIOSH

James Barnes BSc (Hons) LFOH

Karen Baxter CMIOSH

Roger Bibbings MBE

Joe Brannigan LLB (hons) DipLP PgDip Construction Law CMIOSH

Melanie Boucher, MSc CMIOSH

David Brown RSP FIIRSM DipNEBOSH MIOSH MILM

Professor Neil Budworth MSc CFIOSH FIIRSM HonFFOM

Dr Tim Carter

Iris Cepero, Editor, Safety Management magazine

Professor John Cherrie PhD CFFOH

Arnold Clements BSc, MSc CMIOSH CEng MEI

Philip J Cullen BSc (Hons) CMIOSH

Declan Davis CMIOSH

Brian Donnachie BA (Hons) CMIOSH

Phil Dyson-Hurrell MIIRSM

Coenraad Fourie

Lisa Fowlie MSc BSc CFIOSH FIIRSM

Shelley Frost BSc (Hons), Post Grad DipOHS, Executive Director – Policy, IOSH

Professor Alistair Gibb PhD CEng MICE MCIOB, Loughborough University

Melodie Gilbert

Dr David Gold PhD CMIOSH, Chair, IOSH Fire Risk Management Group

Robert Hackett

Neil Hancox CMIOSH, Managing Director, Safety Intervention Services

Anne Harris

Cllr Ali Hashem

Andy Hawkes, Deputy President, IIRSM

Angela Hayden CFIOSH

Clinton Horn CFIOSH

Andrew Hoskins MSc CMIOSH FIIRSM PIEMA

Chris Hughes BSc, LTT Consultancy

Ian Hughes MSc BSc (Hons) Cert Ed Dip2OSH SPDipEM CMIOSH

Kelvin Hughes CMIOSH

Dr Roberta Jacobson OBE

Clive Johnson, Council Member, IIRSM

Ann Jones MBE CFIOSH

Wayne Jones, Chair, Cardiff & South East Wales Occupational Health and Safety Group

Wendy Jones

Martin Lovegrove CMIOSH MIIRSM PIEMA

James McDonald BSc CMIOSH MREHIS

Denis Murphy CMIOSH MIIRSM RMaPS

Cllr Caroline Needham

John O’Keeffe CMIOSH

Shirley Parsons MSc CMIOSH

Louise Phillipson

Stu Pollard BSc, PgCert CMIOSH

Ian Rabett CMIOSH

Dylan Roberts

Angela Rudkin Tech IOSH

Mike Salmon MSc, CFIOSH

Jonathan Schifferes MA

Jim Senior CMIOSH

Phil Sidman MIFE, MIFPO

Karl Simons MSc MIoD CMIOSH

Dr Susan Tannahill CMIOSH

Mohammad Torabi BSc MSc MA CMIOSH

Ceiran Trow CMFOH

Graham Twigg MSc CMIOSH PIEMA

Michelle Twigg MSc CMIOSH

Alex Vaughan

Dr Emma Wadsworth, Cardiff University

Professor David Walters, Cardiff University

Louise Ward BSc (Hons) CMIOSH

Selina Woolcott BSc (Hons) DipOHS CMIOSH 

Attachment: Letter to PM 

Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce

Ntional Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Email Attachments – Click to download

LTB 354/17 Safety Industry Urges Prime Minister Theresa May to End Health & Safety Deregulation following Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster

Letter to PM

New TUC Guide For Health and Safety Reps on How to Keep Both Men and Women Safe at Work – “Gender In Occupational Health and Safety”To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The TUC has published a new guide for trade union representatives to help them take gender differences between men and women into account when identifying health and safety concerns at work. The Guide was developed by the TUC’s Gender and Occupational Safety & Health Group and TUC Health and Safety Specialists Committee input.

The Guide entitled “Gender in occupational health and safety” says that historically the health and safety needs of men in the workplace have been prioritised over women. Risk prevention has focused on visibly dangerous work – largely carried out by men – in industries like construction and mining, with an assumption that the kind of work that women do is safer.

However, the guidance argues that a gender-stereotyped or the ‘one size fits all’ approach is now out-of-date. It has been issued in line with the theme chosen for the 2017 International Workers’ Memorial Day in April, the theme of which was ‘good health and safety for all workers – whoever they are’.

Where the differences between men and women are taken into account when assessing risk and deciding suitable risk control solutions, there is a greater chance of ensuring that the health, safety and welfare of all workers is protected.

The new guide outlines some of the main health and safety risks women can face at work:

Back pain: Women tend to suffer more from pain in the upper back and limbs as a result of repetitive work in both manufacturing and offices, while men tend to suffer more from lower-back pain from exerting high force at work.

Violence and harassment: Women tend to work in lower-paid and low-status jobs where bullying and harassment are more common, while men predominate in better-paid, higher status jobs and supervisory positions.

Not having the right tools: Women working in male professions like construction, engineering and the emergency services are at risk from inappropriately designed tools.

The handbook also provides an important “Checklist” for health and safety representatives and union representatives generally to help them pursue issues around gender at work – including questions about whether sex and gender differences are taken into account in manual handling risk assessments, and in assessments of postural problems including prolonged standing or sitting.

It’s hoped that the findings will help union reps encourage employers to take action on the issues that will make a real difference to the health, safety and welfare of women in their workplaces.

TUC states in launching the guide that people come in all shapes and sizes and when it comes to health and safety, the ‘one size fits all’ approach is old-fashioned and dangerous. Nowhere is that clearer then when looking at gender. Pressing for healthy, safe workplaces for everyone is part and parcel of the role of health and safety reps and union reps generally and the TUC’s new gender checklist will help reps to pursue issues around gender in the workplace, and make sure that all workers have the best possible protection from illness or injury.

Safety studies show that workers are twice as likely to be seriously injured in a non-unionised workplace where there are no health and safety reps and no health and safety committees to raise and voice concerns, complaints and legal non-compliance so the TUC and all Trade Unions are taking the opportunity to urge any man or woman at work who is worried about their health and safety at work to join a union, to make sure that their concerns are heard and that their interests are protected.

Notes on Examples of Successful Trade Union Campaigns to ensure that women’s health and safety at work is taken seriously, including:

Toilets for train drivers: ASLEF campaigned for the proper provision of toilets. Male drivers had endured poor provisions by coping with containers, this was plainly very difficult for female drivers. Station facilities for all staff were upgraded as a result.

Violence against women: USDAW has run the ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign for shop workers – who are predominantly women – since 2002, working with major retail employers, the police and politicians to make workplaces safer for all staff and customers.

Breastfeeding at work: Unite took up cases of cabin crew members who were new mothers whose employer’s rostering was not compatible with their need to breastfeed their babies. This case confirmed working women’s right to continue breastfeeding after returning to work and obligation on employers to accommodate this.

Dangerous Dogs: CWU fought a 7-year campaign to change the Dangerous Dogs Laws in the UK and their ‘Bite-Back’ campaign achieved new strengthened legislation to protect postal and telecom workers. The new laws now apply everywhere in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and also carries far tougher sentences and a wider range of enforcement powers for police. Thousands are attacked annually including many women.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB353/17New TUC Guide For Health and Safety Reps on How to Keep Both Men and Women Safe at Work – “Gender In Occupational Health and Safety”

Attachment 2 – Gender 2017 pdf

Crowded Places Guidance For The UK – New Guidance Published By The ‘National Counter-Terrorism Security Office’ (NACTSO):To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NACTSO) has published new ‘Crowded Places Guidance’, focusing on preventing and protecting people against terrorism. A copy of which is attached.

As the terrorist threat evolves the guidance has been designed to be a living document taking the best advice from some of the UK’s leading experts and organisations. There are many links within the guidance directing readers to websites providing support in any planning.

The new and updated guidance, published this month is intended to give protective security advice to those responsible for managing the security of crowded places and those who manage and run businesses, employers, organisations, amenities or utilities etc. NACTSO hopes the advice can be of use to anyone who wishes to improve their own security, knowledge of security issues or those wishing to audit security standards.

The new Crowded Places Guidance for the UK has been written by NACTSO with the support of The ‘Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’ (CPNI) and over 100 subject matter and academic experts. It covers the key areas of protective security including physical, personnel, personal and cyber. It provides guidance on how different sectors can act to help make their business, institutions or organisations etc., safer and more secure. Its purpose is to support those who are charged with security at crowded places and how to mitigate the threat and help make the UK less vulnerable to an attack. Every location is different and those responsible are urged to review security using the information in this guidance to review Security Plans.

The guidance is interactive and designed to assist crowded place sectors assess the risk and build a security plan to help mitigate that risk and recover more quickly should there be a terrorist attack.

The guidance states that the foundation for the ability to manage during a crisis lies in the preparations that are made. It says that it is important that everyone recognises the risks, develops security plans, trains staff, carries out rehearsal exercises and understands roles and responsibilities.

The guidance adds that Leadership will come from all levels within an organisation during an incident but must come from the top to change the security culture.

The Police and NACTSO have re-stated the fact that terrorist attacks are rare in the UK, but recent events have shown that an attack can happen anywhere, any place and without warning. Those locations either public or private where large groups of people gather, for reasons such as entertainment, business, transportation, tourism, sporting or social occasions, have always been preferential targets for terrorists. Terrorism has evolved in recent times, with many conflicts overseas influencing terrorist acts in the UK. Social media in particular is being manipulated to incite, inspire and enable groups and individuals to target these crowded places.

The UK Threat Level from international terrorism is ‘SEVERE’, which means that an attack is highly likely. Such an attack can come in many forms, not just physical but it can include interference with vital information or communication systems, causing disruption and economic damage. Against this background there is a need to make UK crowded places as accessible as possible and to minimise the threat. The guide points out that there is a balance to be achieved where we must all take responsibility for security to mitigate the threat and impact of terrorism.

Guidance within this booklet is intended to not only make the UK more resilient to a terrorist attack but also to support the fight against other crimes.

Those with any information about suspicious behaviour or activity can report it in confidence, either by calling the police or making an online report.

Contents:-

Night-time economy sector

Cinemas and theatres

Stadia and arenas

Retail

Health

Education

Places of worship

Hotels and restaurants

Major events

Visitor attractions

Commercial centres

Transport

Managing the threat

Managing risk,

Business continuity

Threat level and building response plans

Communication

Suspicious items

Good housekeeping

Attack methodology Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Vehicle bombs

Bomb threats

Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBR) attacks

Firearms and weapons attack ‘RUN, HIDE, TELL’

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Vehicle as a weapon

Physical security

Evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, protected spaces

CCTV

Access control

Mail handling

Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)

Digital built assets and environments

Personnel security

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Email Attachments – Click to download

Attachment 1 – LTB350/17Crowded Places Guidance For The UK – New Guidance Published By The ‘National Counter-Terrorism Security Office’ (NACTSO):

Attachment 2 – NaCTSO – Crowded Places Guidance (2017)