 |
|
|
|
As USRs are fully aware, risk assessments should have been done by the Company, irrespective of the Government and Public Health England's stance on the virus. The risk assessment process is mandatory upon companies in order to protect their workforce and fully implement their duty of care to employees and the public. Neither the Government or PHE can possibly know the full extent of the risks CWU members face in the day to day business activities they must perform. One good example is that of call centre workers hot-desking, and working closely in office environments, sharing equipment such as computer keyboards, the mouse and peripheral equipment. But even more of a risk of infection comes from visiting customer's homes and therefore need for engineers to perform on-site risk assessments specific to that one customer site, and the need or time to be given to do this; is imperative in preventing infection of the virus being spread. The question of providing the appropriate PPE comes into the question also. It is presumed that the question of risk assessments and PPE has been raised with BT, although these do not feature in the letter to CWU members from the Union as two of the issues being discussed with BT. The letter to CWU members working for BT is as follows: Dear Colleague We are writing to all CWU members to update you on the Coronavirus crisis and meetings that have taken place with senior managers in BT. CWU members across the country are in contact with the union at all levels expressing their major concerns and anxiety about whether or not it is safe to continue working during the Coronavirus crisis. We want you to know that we have taken a firm position with BT that they must enforce Government and UK Public Health advice in order to protect key workers from the virus. We believe that BT should be following the most stringent and cautious measures to ensure its employees are protected. However, we acknowledge that Government advice and the advice of the UK Public Health Authorities, has not been clear enough and is creating confusion for workers across the country, most notably for key workers. This has meant employers aren’t modifying the workplace enough to protect vulnerable employees and adhering to the recommended social distancing measures. The CWU will update our members on the progress of our negotiations. If any BT member does not feel safe at work for any reason they should inform their local branch or workplace representative or email [address withheld - Ed] Yours sincerely Andy Kerr Source: CWU / Unionsafety
|
 |
Andy Kerr, CWU's Deputy General Secretary (T&FS) has written to all CWU members working for BT with regard to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to advise them of the stance being taken by the Union with the employer and offering support to it's members who may feel worried or concerned that their working environment is placing them at risk.