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National Inspection Day – 22 October 2008 – Check your risk assessments
17 October 2008
As part of their contribution to European Week on Health and Safety at Work, the TUC is calling on all health and safety reps to take part in National Inspection Day on Wednesday 22 October.
The theme for the European weeks in both 2008 and 2009 is risk assessment. As we explained in an earlier report, the EU believes that risk assessment is the starting point for good risk management. If the assessment of the risk is wrong or missing then how can employers control it? The EU guidance points out that the only way to do effective risk assessments is to involve the workers and their health and safety representatives in the process.
The TUC wants union health and safety reps in all workplaces to take part in National Inspection Day on the Wednesday of European Week.
Even in the retail sector, where it is likely that risk assessments are 'generic' and done at a national level rather than at the individual store, reps can still take part. In Tesco, for example, safety reps are working with managers in a campaign on roll cage safety. The risk assessments on roll cage handling are done company-wide. But there is clear guidance on how roll cages should be handled and the campaign gives an opportunity to raise awareness in stores. Reps and managers will review any findings from the campaign at the Store Forum in November.
To support the message about the value of worker involvement in the risk assessment process the TUC has produced a guide for health and safety reps on risk assessment. Copies can be downloaded from the TUC website - http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-15374-f0.cfm. Or reps can order copies from the Health and Safety Section in the Legal Department at Central Office - healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk, telephone 0161 249 2441.
In addition, the HSE is working with the TUC to provide training in risk assessment to union health and safety reps. For details of the HSE/TUC risk assessment courses go to http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-15392-f0.cfm
Contact Details
Health and Safety section
Ph: 0161 249 2441
Fax: 0161 249 2475
Email: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk
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