Health & Safety

HMPPS have agreed that if staff choose to wear a face mask whilst on duty, in any area, at any time, they may do so. This will be personal choice and no permission is needed.

The HSE has now provided an email address for unions to report concerns directly to them: Union.Covidconcerns@hse.gov.uk

During these troubling times the POA want to support you all as much as we possibly can. Please note the following Service which is available to all members;

The National Executive are in constant contact with the employers, Government, ACAS, Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, amongst others.

I wish to update you on the roll out of PAVA in the adult closed male estate and would ask you to take note of the enclosed guidance if you await the roll out of PAVA.

If there is an accident in the workplace the Health and Safety rep must be involved, this is covered within legislation under Regulation 6 of the Safety Reps and Safety Committee Regulations (SRSC) 1977 Inspections following notifiable accidents, occurrences and diseases.

If there is an accident in the workplace the Health and Safety rep must be involved, this is covered within legislation under Regulation 6 of the Safety Reps and Safety Committee Regulations (SRSC) 1977 Inspections following notifiable accidents, occurrences and diseases.

Branches should be aware the Director General of Public Prisons Phil Copple has issued the attached safety instruction to all prison Governors.

The past few weeks has seen a rise in extreme violence against staff throughout the prison estate. We have seen disturbances at Berwyn, Feltham, Holme House and Deerbolt. The violence culminated in a terrorist attack on staff at Whitemoor on 9th January 2020 followed by an unprovoked attack on staff at Bristol on 10th January 2020.

The following is an overview of the legal requirements employers must abide by to comply with legislation in respect of risk assessments, safe systems of work and Health and Safety Committees.