Health and Safety Bulletin
September 2003
BECTU Health & Safety Handbook
This long awaited Handbook, produced in conjunction with S4T (Scottish Theatres Technical Training Trust) is now available. Copies are available at BECTU Head Office if you have not already received one. The Handbook is a comprehensive introduction to health and safety aimed at BECTU Safety Reps and activists. Many thanks are due to Sallie Wilcox (formerly BECTU Safety Rep at Scottish Opera and still a member of BECTU's National Health & Safety Committee) for all her work in researching, writing and progressing the Handbook.
Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations
A leaflet covering the application of the CDM Regulations to Television, Film and Theatre has been produced by the HSE's Broadcasting and Performing Arts Joint Advisory Committee, with BECTU's participation. The leaflet is fully endorsed by the HSE as guidance on how to apply the CDM Regulations to our industry.
Special version of Stage 1 training
BECTU Training Officer Brian Kelly is organising a special version of the TUC Stage 1 course for BECTU members. Instead of the 1-day a week for 10 week model usually offered, this course is a slimmed down version which will run in two 3-day blocks which may suit some members who cannot commit to the day release 10 weeks model.
The course will be run by South Thames College at BECTU Head Office and will take place as follows: Part 1: Wednesday 5th November to Friday 7th November 2003 Part 2: Monday 8th December to Wednesday 10th December 2003
If you would like to apply, please email, Tracey Hunt at BECTU on thunt@bectu.org.uk or write in to BECTU Head Office.
BECTU National Health & Safety Committee
The Committee met again in June at BECTU Head Office and heard reports on developments at NTL, BBC and Odeon, as well as from Regional Production Division.
It was noted that as BECTU reps would not in future be able to claim union expenses for accommodation for attending standard TUC training courses (Stage 1 and Stage 2) – since all such courses should be provided within travelling distance of a members home base. Other expenses (eg travel) would continue to be claimable.
New HSE information sheet
The HSE's new Entertainment Information Sheet No.22 covers 'Safe filming and recording involving vehicles.' It was produced in conjunction with the HSE's industry advisory committee, BJAC. Topics covered include: legislation; risk assessment; equipment; tracking shots; use of low-loaders; and noise. It also includes a checklist of do's and don'ts and suggestions for further reading.
Safety Reps for atypical workers
BECTU has responded to the HSE's draft proposals on 'Employee Involvement and Consultation in H&S' by listing our key points of concern on atypical workers. The union would specifically welcome the right for all unions, including BECTU, to be able to appoint Safety Reps who are not employees of the relevant employer if this is necessary to achieve representation for atypical workers (in the way that Equity and MU can already use their union officials as Safety Reps under Regulation 8). BECTU would also welcome the extension of the Workers Safety Advisers pilot into a full system of Roving Safety Reps and would like the right for all Safety Reps to issue Provisional Improvement Notices.
Smoke machines
A new research report is available from the HSE's Health and Safety Laboratory on 'Health Hazards from Theatrical Smoke Machines'. This technical report examines in some detail the emissions and operator exposures for two smoke machines and a range of fogging agents.
New Minister for health & safety
Des Browne (MP for Kilmarnock and Loudon) is the new Minister for health and safety. He has taken over Nick Brown's responsibilities at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Temporary workers face higher accident rates
Temporary workers (including those working on a freelance or fixed term contract basis) face a higher risk of accidents at work than those on permanent contracts. This has been highlighted in a report produced by the London School of Economics, based on original research in Spain (which was chosen because almost a third of the Spanish workforce is on fixed-term contracts).