Workers Memorial Day Sunday 28 April 2002

Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April is the day when the international labour movement remembers those who have been killed or injured in workplace accidents and those who have died from occupational diseases.

The event originated in Canada and the US in 1986 and has been supported by Usdaw since 1995. Since then it has been taken up by the TUC and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. It is also supported by the Health and Safety Commission and Government Ministers. This year the event has also been adopted by the International Labour Organisation.

According to the International Labour Organisation there were 1.3 million workplace deaths in the world last year - twice as many as were killed in wars (502,000). There were 250 million accidents causing absence from work (eight every second of the day). In the UK, 300 workers are killed in accidents every year and tens of thousands die from occupational illness.

The theme for 2002 is 'Improving public health through stronger health and safety' with a focus on workplace inspections and monitoring by trade unions.

Usdaw safety reps have an impressive track record for using inspection rights to improve safety and occupational health. Below, we give details of a new 'risk filter' developed by the HSE which reps can use to tackle work-related upper limb disorders.

What Can You Do for Workers Memorial Day?

Find out if there are any ceremonies or events in your area. Contact your local trades council or hazards centre.

Wear a purple 'forget me knot' ribbon on the day. The purple knotted ribbon has been adopted as a symbol of Workers' Memorial Day. Ribbons can be bought from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, 23 New Mount Street, Manchester M4 4DE, phone 0161-953 4037, fax 0161-953 4001 for 20 pence each plus s.a.e. or £20 per 100 including post and packing.

This year Workers' Memorial Day falls on a Sunday. The trade union Amicus (MSF) includes church workers in its membership and has produced materials for use in church services on the day.

Details of events and of the Amicus pack can be found at www.hazards.org/campaigns/index.htm

Armed Against RSI

Work-related upper limb disorder is the term used by the Health and Safety Executive for repetitive strain injury or RSI. Hundreds of thousands of workers in the UK suffer from RSI and over four million working days are lost every year as a result. Long term problems with chronic pain mean that many people lose their jobs. The effect on individuals and their families can be severe.

New HSE Guidance

Recently the HSE has published new guidance for employers spelling out what they should do to manage the risk of RSI. The guidance stresses the importance of working closely with staff and their safety reps when assessing the level of risk and identifying solutions. To help identify jobs where there may be a significant risk, the HSE guidance includes a 'risk filter' which can be used to do an initial screening of the work people do. If the filter identifies any risk factors then a more detailed assessment will be needed and advice is given on how this should be done.

The Risk Filter

Employers are advised to look for the following risk factors:

1)Signs and symptoms such as diagnosed cases, complaints of aches and pains, improvised modifications to work equipment or tools.

2)Excessive Repetition - for example, repeating the same movement every few seconds for more than two hours per shift.

3) Awkward Posture - for example, holding fixed positions or working overhead.

4) Excessive Force - for example, pushing/pulling objects, gripping tools or steadying work items.

5) Vibration from hand-held powered tools or from contact with machinery.

The HSE book gives guidance on how this should be done and more detail on the risks to look out for.

Action for Safety Reps

Usdaw safety reps can help to identify possible risks. For example, using simple questionnaires or body mapping techniques with groups of members can identify signs or symptoms. Reps can use the HSE advice when doing workplace inspections and talking to members about the work that they do. Where reps identify a potential problem they should raise it with management through the appropriate channels and make sure that management are aware of the HSE guidance.

For further information

The HSE guidance Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace HSG60(rev) costs £9.50 from bookshops or from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury CO10 2WA.

Details of the risk filter are available on the TUC website at www.tuc.org.uk

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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