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Network Journal 2005 Issue 4 December |
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Freedom From Fear vital to workplace safety
Retail reps in Scotland took part in a new pilot workshop designed to help them implement safety policies introduced as a result of the Freedom From Fear campaign.
The workshop focussed on how reps can use the Usdaw safety reps guide - Preventing violence to retail staff. Using risk assessment checklists to ensure policies are implemented were also discussed.
"The workshop worked very well," said health and safety officer Doug Russell, who organised the course. "But even with the best policies in place there is still a chance that a member might be injured in an attack.
"Robberies do happen and shoplifters can be violent, so the second part of the workshop focussed on the care and support of members who are victims of crime.
"We looked at the kind of support we should expect from the employer, the police and most importantly the support and advice that the rep should provide. Any member injured or abused should be encouraged to fill in a legal claim form so the union can assist with a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
"Most of the leading employers have policies in place to help protect their staff from violence and abuse. The workshop was designed to make sure that these policies were being put into practice across all of their stores."
Fourteen reps from Tesco, Safeway, Somerfield, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Boots retail attended the workshop held in Glasgow in September.
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