Health & Safety

The TUC is running another ‘Introduction to the role of Health and Safety rep’ course for women members. It runs on the 3^rd October, 11:00 – 16:00

In October 2021 HMPPS commenced a pilot in seven establishments for a new First Aid Policy. This pilot is now complete, and despite the Executive’s best endeavors, no policy has been implemented.

Joe Simpson reports on the ongoing issue of carrying aids for frontline staff

The NEC are updating the records we hold on our Health and Safety Reps database and would ask all Branch Committees to send us the details of their appointed Health and Safety Reps.

Due to the increase in the amount of equipment which members are required to wear in the course of their duties, the Executive raised concerns with HMPPS regarding the potential for Musculoskeletal injuries surrounding the use of utility belts. The POA pointed out that;

HMPPS are introducing a new Digital Assessment Routing Tool (DART).

The Health and Safety Executive defines a near miss ‘as an event that, while not causing harm, has the potential to cause injury or ill health’.

The Labour Research Department have produced a Booklet on ‘Working Safely with Covid-19. The coronavirus pandemic has presented significant new health and safety challenges for workers and their trade unions.

As part of Covid-19 contingency measures, the POA NEC have had regular dialogue with HMPPS around the newly created Covid-19 temporary capacity expansion.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have launched the ‘Help Us Help You – NHS Access’ campaign which looks to address the barriers that are deterring patients from accessing NHS services.