Health and Safety Bulletin
May 2003
Health & Safety Reps now able to join IOSH
By Andrew Böber
Admittedly although many workplaces may have a good working relationship with their Trade Union reps many more workplaces don't. H&S reps possibly from first-hand will have meet with disagreement and resistance on part of iniquitous management, typically being dismissed as 'militant', 'ignorant' or 'amateurs'.
This isn't to say that a H&S reps can't be wrong in their decisions, my own tax returns to the Inland Revenue are a testimony to that, but it does seem increasingly apparent that little respect is contributed to these individuals who altruistically try and attain the highest standards and ethics of occupational safety and health for the benefit of their members. Unlike a Health & Safety Manager, a trade union rep isn't paid for what they do, they do it instead because they feel it's the responsible thing to do.
Of course, if H&S reps were qualified and affiliated H&S professionals then it would be difficult for their opinions to be so readily dismissed by such superfluous management bodies. And in case you weren't aware this is something that is possible for every H&S reps can do.
Since 1999/2000 the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has recognised the TUC Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health (Cert. OSH) as entry requirement for association at the membership grade of Technician Safety Practitioner (TechSP).
However, to date there are only approximately 180 trade unionist members of ISOH, a body which represents 25,000 H&S professionals, who have joined through this scheme. When you consider that there are some 25,064 members of BECTU, of which approximately 238 are H&S reps, and then that in the whole of the TUC there are only 180 who have undertaken this scheme it does seem extremely pitiable.
The Cert. OSH can be undertaken after the Stage 1 and 2 course, and is typically a one-day a week day-release course held over an academic year (36 weeks), although progressively more TUC National Faculties are adopting flexibility learning programs to suit member's needs.
A year may seem a serious undertaking, but when you think it is something that provides you with a real qualification which you are instructed and supported in your work every step of the way, and then allows for affiliation to a chartered institution, it is well worth it. The course is acknowledged to be the equivalent to the NEBOSH Diploma Part 1, which if the rep were to pay from their own pocket would cost around £4,000 +VAT. This is quite a serious investment that the TUC are making in H&S reps, which benefits are making us more empowered as a body.
It is a discredit that for everything that has ever been fought for there are little over 180 TU H&S professionals so far.
If any reps are interested in receiving more information about the Cert. OSH course then contact BECTU Head Office for information.
Andrew Böber is a member of BECTU, IOSH, BMC, a manager working in the West End, and an H&S Advisor.
HSE visits to broadcasters
HSE Inspectors will be visiting a number of broadcasters in the London area over the next 6 months, including: BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Granada (LWT, GMTV), Carlton, BSkyB, MTV, Thames and ITN.
The project is essentially part of the Government's 'Revitalising Health & Safety' strategy and has the aim of checking whether companies are making progress in the areas emphasised in the strategy, especially: falls from height, workplace transport, slips and trips, musculoskeletal disorders, work related stress, hand arm vibration, noise and occupational asthma.
'Theatre Essentials'
The HSE Working Group on 'Theatre Essentials' is in the process of agreeing the final draft of a new HSE publication under this title.
The publication will be a guide which 'aims to help those who work in the theatre industry to ensure that the organisations they work for and the productions they work on are run safely.'
BECTU has been represented on the Working Group by National Official, Mark David-Gray
National Hazards Conference
The 14th National Hazards Conference will take place from 5th to 7th September at the London School of Economics. This will be the first time the conference has taken place in London since 1987.
The Conference is jointly organised by London and Greater Manchester Hazards centres. They have invited the new Health and Safety Minister, Nick Brown to attend.
BECTU usually sends a delegation to the Conference and is likely to do so again this year.
New publications
Recent publications of relevance to BECTU members include:
HSE Health and Safety Laboratory 'Health Hazards from Theatrical Smoke Machines'
EU: Asbestos Worker Protection Directive 2003/18/EC
EU: Physical Agents (Noise) Directive 2003/10/EC (to be transposed into UK law by 15.2.06).
Scottish H&S passport scheme
As reported in Stage, Screen & Radio, the first graduates of the scheme were presented with their new 'passports' in Glasgow on 25th March.
Digital video (DV) shoots
Concern has been expressed about H&S practices on DV shoots, with junior staff members without H&S training being sent out to use the seemingly 'easy to use' kit.
The issue was picked up in Broadcast magazine, in February, which quoted the concerns of producer/director Sarah Lee.
BECTU Safety Reps' accreditation cards
The new cards, valid for the period 2003-2005, have now been sent out to all Safety Reps on our central database. In A&E Division the distribution was limited to reps with Stage 1 training. Not everyone receiving this Bulletin would have received a card.
If you have not received a card and believe you should have done so, please contact Tracey Hunt at Head office.
TUC Hazards At Work update
Members wanting the Hazards at Work update for 2002 should contact Tracey Hunt at Head Office.