Features in this issue: Friday 25 November 2016 All Things Social Is Munby right – is the care system facing crisis? HCPC Renewal – 10 tips for getting your CPD profile ready. “Dammed” – Channel 4’s new social work comedy. … Continue reading →Read more…
Get set for European Health and Safety Week
just 10 days to European health and safety week (24-30 October) – the annual focus on making sure that work and our workplaces are both safe and healthy. This year, the theme is “healthy workplaces…Read more…
When profits come before safety
If you are a fan of action movies and disaster movies, there is a very good reason to check out this film. More importantly if you are a safety person this is a film to see – however painful it may…Read more…
#SouthernBackOnTrack – Safety spun in numbers
Southern Rail – having seemed to have learnt nothing from their disastrous social media campaign yesterday with #southernbackontrack – have come back for more of a metaphorical kicking….Read more…
Who provides your occupational health?
A recent TUC survey showed that 92% of workplaces with union health and safety representatives have some form of occupational health provision. This is well above the national average, where it is…Read more…
Union health and safety representatives rock!
Every two years the TUC asks trade union health and safety representatives about the issues that affect them, and the results are always really interesting. The 2016 survey results have just been…Read more…
HSE: What social partnership means to the Tories
On Friday the Government announced a number of new appointments to the board of the Health and Safety Executive. The DWP did not indicate who they were representing when they made the announcement…Read more…
Cancer and Work: understanding your options
If someone is diagnosed with cancer, there are a range of decisions that they will need to make in terms of options regarding work. Some may choose to take a break during treatment, or will be…Read more…
TUC says “Cool it!” as workers suffer in summer heat
A month or so ago, when there was a hot spell and the thermometer went over 30c the TUC called for employers to take action to help workers cope with it by supplying fans, relaxing dress codes and…Read more…
Changes to company records would be bad for workers
Companies House is proposing a significant change to how long information on companies is kept that could have a major impact on the ability of workers to get compensation for diseases that appear…Read more…
Protecting health and safety post-Brexit
Given the possibility that the UK may no longer be covered by EU regulations on health and safety in the near future, what protection will British workers have to a safe workplace? This is important…Read more…
Bus drivers under attack
Unite drivers suspended bus services in a district of West Belfast last weekend, after a double-decker was petrol bombed. Luckily no one was hurt during the attack, which took place in the…Read more…
Unite Policy Conference 2016 – Tuesday’s business
The biggest debate of the day was around local government cuts. An Executive Statement strengthened Unite’s policy, but didn’t go as far as the motions which fell as a result of it passing.
Composite 1 (Motions 1 & 2): Campaigning Against Privatis…Read more…
Mesothelioma statistics show need for action
The HSE have published their fatalities statistics. Provisional figures indicate that 144 people were killed while at work in 2015/2016 – up from 142 in 2014/2015. This is the second year running…Read more…
After Brexit – Where now on health and safety and employment rights?
Before the referendum the TUC gave a strong warning that the rights of workers to a safe workplace could be threatened by a vote to leave the EU, as could many employment rights. Now that that has…Read more…
UNISON keeping our members safe is at risk in the upcoming EU referendum
UNISON has been at the heart of developing and campaigning for European legislation – legislation such as European Sharps Directive, which has helped protect nurses, cleaners, ambulance and other NHS…Read more…
Branch Newsletter June 2016
Information in this edition includes: 175 Years of Chartism – Why The Vote Matters More Than Ever TTIP Benefits – What Benefits! Health & Safety Is Not A Dirty Word What It’s Like To Be LGBT In The Workplace – … Continue reading →Read more…
Asbestos: Time to get rid of it
Asbestos is the biggest cause of workplace deaths. This year 5,000 people are likely to die prematurely as a result of asbestos exposure. This is around three times the number of road accident…Read more…
UNISON welcomes HSE report on needlesticks
Report finds 83% of organisations failing to comply with sharps regulations
The article UNISON welcomes HSE report on needlesticks first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Work dress codes, high heels, and patent sexism
There are so many problems with the story of Nicola Thorp, the London receptionist who was sent home by her agency, Portico, without pay because she refused to wear high heels, it’s hard to know where to begin. From a health and safety perspective, heels are bad for feet, joints and back. Sorry to…Read more…