News round-up from November and most of December 2008.
Welcome to the Health and Safety news round-up from Camden UNISON Branch Health and Safety Officer, Sarah Friday. If you find any of this mailing useful or interesting, please forward it to fellow union members or work colleagues.
--Local News—
Barney’s death was
‘a disaster waiting to happen’
Camden New Journal, 20 November 2008
A damning dossier warning of dangerous repairs on
Camden’s council estates has led to calls for a new
investigation into the death of electrocuted scaffolder Ralph
Kennedy.
The request follows the emergence of a meticulous report compiled
by a former employee whose work included monitoring contractors
during 23 years of service at the council.
http://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2008/112008/news112008_01.html
--National News—
Employee 'fit note' are to be brought in as part of government efforts to cut the amount of money lost to the economy from workplace absenteeism. The idea is for GPs in England to spell out those tasks workers can perform rather than the traditional 'sick note' focusing on what they cannot do.
Badly behaved and incompetent bosses not only make work stressful, they can increase the risk of heart disease for their employees, new research suggests. A Swedish team found a strong link between poor leadership and the risk of serious heart disease and heart attacks among more than 3,000 employed men. And the effect may be cumulative - the risk went up the longer an employee worked for the same company.
--UNISON news—
UNISON has voiced concern at the poor state
of many public buildings, which could put workers' health and
safety at risks. Local authorities have admitted they have some
way to go to ensure their buildings are suitable for staff after
a survey revealed that half of all council offices were in poor
condition.
--Union news—
Official
investigations into major workplace injuries have dropped
dramatically, a Unite report has revealed. Research for the union
found investigations into major injuries declined by 43 per cent
between 2001/02 and 2006/07.
Construction union UCATT has warned workers involved in housing maintenance to be vigilant for dirty needles when entering or working on properties. It says in some cases anti-social tenants have booby-trapped light switches and sockets with needles. Workers cleaning and refurbishing empty properties have also suffered needlestick injuries when clearing rubbish.
--Disability--
Workers with
disabilities or those with long term ill-health are facing higher
levels of hostile and negative treatment in the workplace,
according to new research.
EHRC
news release. Disability
Alliance news release.
A copy of the newly revised 1977 Safety Representatives and Consultation Regulations, the related Approved Code of Practice. The new, improved resource replaces the 'Brown Book' and is the key resource on safety reps' legal rights at work. New 'Brown Book' of safety reps' rights [pdf].
Hazards at work 'Hazards
at Work' online.
Hazards at
Work - the online hazards guide - click on the relevant
subject heading on the TUC health and safety webpages.
If you found anything in this bulletin
useful or would like more information please contact Camden
UNISON Branch Health and Safety Officer, Sarah Friday on 0207 974
1635, mobile 07776 37 43 45 or email sarah.friday@camden.gov.uk