Action Stations

Twenty year-old Adam Pease has taken to his role as health and safety rep like the proverbial duck to water.

“It’s a very important role with a lot of responsibility,” said Adam, who has been a safety rep in the Sainsbury’s store in Torquay for two years. “I take my job very seriously.

“Looking after the health and safety needs of all the staff in my store is a challenge and a role I really enjoy. I get a lot of respect from everyone, management and colleagues alike.

“Every day is different, there’s so much to learn. I liaise with a variety of people from management to maintenance more or less on a daily basis.

“Regular meetings with store health and safety manager Cath Philips gives us the opportunity to analyse reports and risk assessments and decide on a course of action.

“We also discuss how things are progressing generally and if there are any other issues that need addressing or investigating further.

“Prevention really is better than the cure. Once staff get to grips with the issue and that we all have a duty to be health and safety conscious you can start to see some progress being made.

“Being a safety rep has done wonders for my confidence and my communication skills too. I’ve had excellent training from Usdaw, met some great people and built up some good contacts with other health and safety reps in my area.

“I’d like to see more health and safety reps in every workplace and especially younger members getting involved – it’s a job well worth doing.”

When Argos supervisor Yaz Lorget had a problem at work he turned to the union for help only to find there was no rep in store. So he decided to take on the role himself and immediately set about raising the union’s profile with fantastic results and membership now stands at an amazing 70 per cent.

“I was having one or two little niggles with my manager and needed some advice from the union,” said Yaz, 25, who joined Usdaw five years ago when he started work for Argos in Dewsbury. “I asked around and found out we didn’t have a rep and hardly anyone else was a union member.

“I contacted my local union office in Leeds and spoke to my area organiser who gave me sound advice and helped me sort the issues out.

“I was really surprised at how low-key the union was. I’m always keen to stand up for people’s rights and I’m not noted for my shyness, so my organiser suggested I sign up as a rep.

“I haven’t looked back and soon had two thirds of my colleagues signed up simply because I asked them to join.

“I love my role, there’s so much to learn. I’ve had excellent training and support.

“I’d like to get more involved especially with stand-down at other Argos stores in the area because if people are asked they will join.”

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