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19 December 2005 - HSL Report Shows Non
Union Workplaces Failing
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A report, conducted by the Health and Safety Laboratories (HSL),
into the awareness and participation of workers on health and safety within
non-union workplaces, found most to be "clueless" regarding consultation laws
with "very limited" participation from the workforce.
The report concluded with the following findings:
"In most cases managers, health and safety officers, employee
reps and workers were not aware of the relevant health and safety regulations.
Of those that demonstrated some level of awareness, they did not have a detailed
level of insight into the regulations, but recognised that there was a duty on
the employer to consult.
"It seems reasonable to conclude, therefore, that the impact
of health and safety legislation was negligible upon the nature or extent of
participatory processes.
"Despite reasonable levels of workforce participation
reported at most sites, there was no evidence that workers requested or
initiated new participatory or consultative arrangements (eg. workteams, safety
circles and safety committees)."
TUC Head of Safety, Mr. Hugh Robertson, commenting on the report
said:
"The lesson is simple enough. If you want to get a say, get a
union. Union safety reps listen to their members, communicate views on behalf of
their members and have the backing of the members to make sure those views are
listened to."
The full report, in pdf format can be accessed by clicking the
following:
Workforce Participation in Occupational Health and Safety Management in
Non-unionised Workplaces - HSL/2005/41
HSfB provided the above link in a news item in November 2005.
However, we feel as the new year is almost upon us, it perhaps warranted another
reminder of just how important it is that workers participate more, in order to
bring about as safe a workplace as is possible.
Injuries and deaths could be reduced dramatically if workers
became more aware and involved in health and safety issues, resulting in 2006
being a healthier and safer place within our workplaces.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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