Chelmsford TUC

The TUC publishes an excellent range of books and pamphlets on health and safety and some of these can be seen on our TUC publications page. All trade unions have their own experts to assist you but the most important advice we can offer, is to make you aware that workers are safer in trade unions.

Employers do have statutory obligations to fulfil, including:

• ensuring that you are not harmed by your work or while you are at work;

• training you to do your work safely;

• informing you about the hazards and risks of your work, and how you will be protected from them;

• providing you with the equipment and clothing you need to stay safe; and

• consulting you about health and safety matters.

At the same time employees have a duty to provide a safe system of work, and not to do anything likely to harm colleagues in the workplace. Consultation can take place through trade union-appointed safety representatives if your employer recognises a trade union. If not, the employer can either consult workers directly or establish a system of independently-elected Representatives of Employee Safety. Chelmsford Trades Union Council believes that union safety representatives are the best because they ensure that

• consultation is effective

• you will be properly represented

• your rights to health and safety are respected.

Trade union safety representatives are well-trained, and studies have shown that where employers consult with trade unions over health and safety, and set up joint employer-union safety committees, the major injury rate falls by over 50%. Indeed, the training of trade unionists is so good that Health and Safety Executive research suggests that they often know more about health and safety than managers.

On top of the training which unions provide for their representatives, they also receive a wealth of up-to-date information. Union safety representatives also have another advantage - they are able to use all the union’s facilities to protect its members. Union safety representatives are, of course, there to help all their colleagues in the workplace, including non-union members, but if you want to obtain legal help, your best bet is to join a trade union.