Checking Out Health and Safety in Shops (Leaflet 254)

Date: 24 April 2009

Checking Out Health and Safety in Shops (Leaflet 254)

Shopwork can be dangerous and unhealthy. Many people don’t realise how serious the hazards are. Nor do they realise that the problems are not an inevitable part of the job. Hazards can be reduced if working conditions are improved.

Employers have a legal duty to identify the significant risks and to introduce preventive and protective measures to control those risks. They also have duties to inform staff about the risks and to consult with staff or their representatives on the arrangements for controlling them.

This leaflet has been prepared to help Usdaw Health and Safety Reps make the most of their legal powers. It contains checklists on some of the main health and safety issues which concern shopworkers.

Health and Safety Reps can use the checklists to:

• Get people talking about health and safety in shops.
• Identify problems in their own workplace.
• Draw up their own checklists for use when doing workplace inspections.

Further Information

A short leaflet like this gives only a brief introduction to some of the important health and safety issues which affect shopworkers. These checklists will help Usdaw Health and Safety Reps to get members talking about the issues and to make a start at drawing up their own lists of questions to ask management and to use during their regular inspections of their shop.

Usdaw provides more detailed information on these and other hazards in articles in Network, the Union's activists magazine, and in circulars, booklets and leaflets.

Copies of all Usdaw health and safety publications and other information are available on the Usdaw website - www.usdaw.org.uk/healthandsafety

Usdaw Health and Safety Reps should visit the site to sign up for our regular email alert service.

All Usdaw Health and Safety Reps should also have a copy of Usdaw's Health and Safety Reps' Handbook which gives practical advice on the Usdaw Health and Safety Rep's job.

Any Usdaw Health and Safety Rep who requires further information or advice on any particular health and safety issue should contact their Area Organiser or contact:

The Health and Safety Officer
Legal Department
Usdaw, 188 Wilmslow Road
Manchester M14 6LJ

email: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk

Checking Out Health and Safety in Shops (Leaflet 254) was correct at date of publication April 2009.

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Last Modified: Monday, 28-Sep-2009 21:23:37 EST