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…
Nudging in the right direction: Behavioural economics to improve workplace safety
On various occasions I have criticised the Government’s reliance on “nudge theory”. The biggest use of it in the workplace health area was the Responsibility Deal which the Government quietly closed…Read more…
Defying all justice
The boss of a Birmingham drug and alcohol charity, which sacked health and safety rep Alison Morris for raising concerns with her manager over fire safety, has received nearly 3,000 emails calling…Read more…
UNISON rep wins praise for work on stress
Health and safety rep Scott Donohoe praised after being awarded the STUC Frank Maguire award
The article UNISON rep wins praise for work on stress first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
UNISON marks International Workers’ Memorial Day
Workers around the globe call for ‘strong laws, strong enforcement, strong unions’
The article UNISON marks International Workers’ Memorial Day first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Health and safety: Another reason for staying in
Yesterday tens of thousands of trade unionists took part in activities to commemorate those who died through work. The theme of Workers Memorial Day was “strong laws, strong enforcement , strong…Read more…
In 2016 we should be able to design workplaces where no-one has to die as a result of their job
Up to 50,000 people still die each year in the UK as a result of work-related ill health and incidents. Fortunately few of those are UNISON members, yet too many are still suffering from poor…Read more…
Justice for Alison
Today, Workers’ Memorial Day, as we remember those who have lost their lives at work, Unite officers and members are fighting to have a health and safety rep reinstated after she was sacked for…Read more…
TTIP Benefits – What Benefits!
TTIP or the proposed Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership deal between the US and the EU continues to progress. There have so far been some thirteen rounds of talks, all behind closed doors between US and EU representatives to bring the proposals … Continue reading →Read more…
Milton Keynes marks International Workers’ Memorial Day
“Health and safety is important not just for workers, but for everyone in society”
The article Milton Keynes marks International Workers’ Memorial Day first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
‘Stuck in the bowels of hell’
Two hero miners saved the lives of nine of their comrades earlier this month, after the group were trapped by a huge fire 1.1km underground in a Teesside potash mine. The miners, all Unite…Read more…
Report from GPM&IT NISC April 2016
The committee, which covers the Graphical, Paper, Media & IT industries, met Monday and Tuesday. This is a summary of some key points. I’ve not included most of the industrial detail (and some other points) in my report because not everything is appropriate to post publicly. For jargon, see…Read more…
TUC Dying to Work Campaign
Yesterday, in the Houses of Parliament the energy giant E-On will be the first UK company to sign up to the TUC’s Dying to Work Charter committing them, as an employer, to supporting workers…Read more…
Personal Injury Settlements March 2016
For March 2016, members of the West Midlands Region received £112,338.10 in compensation for personal injuries. Members of this branch received £8,400. It always pays to be a Unison member!!Read more…
Do we need a standard on health and safety?
Plans for a certifiable international standard on health and safety are well underway. It is called ISO45001. This is a really big development as most big employers are likely to try to achieve…Read more…
What future for the HSE?
The HSE have recently launched a new strategy called “Helping Great Britain work well”. It has six themes – Acting together; tackling ill health; managing risk well; supporting small employers;…Read more…
Threat to safety representatives still there.
Tomorrow sees not just the budget but also the debate on the Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords. The Bill includes a provision to allow the Government to restrict access to facility time for…Read more…
Justice result
The benefits of being a union member may not be immediately obvious, but for many, it’s nothing short of life-changing. For one Unite member an accident in work meant that he would no longer…Read more…
Health and safety can boost your branch
H&S can fall down the agenda, but International Workers’ Memorial Day is the the perfect chance to reinvigorate your work – and possibly your branch with it
The article Health and safety can…Read more…
Safety representatives – still all to play for
As the Trade Union Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords it is worth reminding ourselves about the potential implications for health and safety. As Frances O’Grady said in Hazards…Read more…