Health and Safety Bulletin
May 2006
BECTU National H&S Committee
The meeting held on 20 March 2006 for the first time included a broader spread of cooptees from various areas of the union, as well as representatives nominated from divisions.
The meeting was joined by AGS Gerry Morrissey for a discussion on the issue of a BECTU H&S Officer, in the context of the union's financial constraints and the arguments for prioritising other appointments such as an Information Officer and additional National Officials. After a wide-ranging discussion, a motion was passed for forwarding to the NEC. This recommended designating, from within the existing industrial officials, one per Division with particular responsibility for H&S, with relevant training. This would be reviewed after 12 months, including the issue of the feasibility of employing a H&S Officer.
Other issues covered included; roving safety reps, H&S passport for freelances, CDM regulations, Noise at Work regulations and sectoral reports (eg on BBC, Arqiva and theatres).
Clive Coston reported on his work as BECTU nominee to the Working Group for the Music & Entertainment Sector on the implementation of the Noise at Work Regulations.
HSE consultation on worker involvement
The HSE consultation on the issue is now under way, with a deadline for submissions of 8 September 2006. BECTU's response will seek an amendment to Regulation 8 of the SSRC Regulations to allow BECTU (along with Equity and MU) to nominate Safety Reps who are not employees of the company concerned.
This is geared to the independent production sector where an overwhelmingly freelance workforce works on a series of short-term projects with no possibility of building in-house structure of safety representation. The aim is to allow for roving safety reps (or, if necessary BECTU officials with relevant training) to take on the safety rep role in this sector where appropriate.
BBC
The union is challenging BBC management's view that the BBC NJC on Health & Safety is not a properly constituted safety committee under the SSRC Regulations.
The join union side of the NJC, including BECTU, has now written formally to the BBC Head of Employee Relations on this issue.
Tallescopes in theatres
A code of practice on the use of tallescopes which was drawn up by a HSE Working Group has now been rejected by the HSE because it allowed the use of tallescopes in a manner contrary to the manufacturers' instructions.
The underlying issue is that of moving tallescopes while someone is in the basket. Alternative approaches are currently being explored.
H&S passports
BECTU continues to advocate the development of a cross-industry H&S passport (or accreditation) for freelances.
In recent discussions at HSE meetings, the union has pointed out that separate accreditation systems are used by the various broadcasters and that a single system would benefit all parties.
The union has, however, objected to the notion of freelances being charged the full cost of any accreditation scheme - which would be a disincentive to participation in the process.
Camera cranes
ASPEC have produced a pocket sized version of their Guidance in the Provision and Safe Operation of Camera Cranes. Limited copies have already been made available to relevant areas of BECTU. Individuals can apparently purchase additional copies at a price of £5.
BECTU H&S craft cards
The titles of all 15 craft cards are now listed on the BECTU website under Health & Safety, together with details of how to obtain copies from Head Office.
Event Safety Guide
Discussions are under way under the auspices of the HSE on a possible revision of the HSE Event Safety Guide. Martyn Jenkins of BECTU's National Health & Safety Committee is the union's nominee for this Working Group.
Updating the Temporary Electrial Installation Code of Practice
BBC Belfast member, Gordon Bannister, represents BECTU on a British Standards Institute committee that is reviewing the Code of Practice covering temporary electrical installations.
BS 7909: 1998 (Code of practice for design and installation of temporary distribution systems delivering AC electrical supplies for lighting, technical services and entertainment related activities) needs updating because of various technological developments and to improve the clarity of the Code's wording.
BECTU members across all our divisions may have experience of using this Code and BECTU has been asked to consult its membership about their views.
Safety reps should consult with members who are affected by temporary electrical installations and obtain their views.
Is the Code easy to follow? Is the wording as clear as you need? What could be improved? Is anything missing?
Gordon will be feeding BECTU's views back to the BSI in July, so please get comments to him during June. Please email or write to Anna Murray, National Official at BECTU, who will pass your comments on to Gordon. If you'd like to know more about this topic, please also get in touch or use the safety section of www.bectuforum.org.uk
Hazards magazine website
For further information on health and safety issues from a worker/trade union perspective please visit the Hazards website at www.hazards.org