CWU Annual Conference 2010 Begins
Derek Maylor, Chair of NW BTU Health & Safety Co-ord, reports on the first day of the CWU's annual conference:
The CWU annual conferences are taking place from 23–28 May at Bournemouth International Centre and the following was discussed and agreed in the form of propositions and debate.
The environment was the opening issue and it was noted that many thousands of tons of waste is generated by companies in which the CWU has members, much of which can be recycled. Items such as paper, cardboard, strapex, plastic and other recyclable materials are seen as commercial waste and much of it ends up in landfill sites. The NEC are to develop solutions, including the setting up of a network of local CWU Environmental Reps across the industries where we have members, and present to our employers solutions to enable them to reduce their carbon foot print by making provisions for recycling all waste they generate.
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101: Conference agrees that many thousands of tons of waste is generated by companies in which the CWU has members, much of which can be recycled. Items such as paper, cardboard, strapex, plastic and other
recyclable materials are seen as commercial waste and much of it ends up in landfill sites. It is now time that our employers address this matter. Conference calls on the NEC to develop solutions, including the setting up of a
network of local CWU Environmental Reps across the industries where we have members, and present to our employers solutions to enable them to reduce their carbon foot print by making provisions for recycling all waste they generate.
Gloucestershire Amal
There is an increasing use of mobile display screen equipment technology such as laptops, PDA’s, GPS etc, in all sections of commerce and industry by our members.
The growth in the use of this technology has been accompanied by increasing concerns regarding a wide range of physical and psychological health problems that may be associated with Visual Display Unit work such as eyestrain and visual fatigue or mental and physical fatigue. The current DSE Regs no longer affords the same standards of users care and assessment for our members using this ever increasing mobile technology as originally intended. We will actively campaign to all relevant bodies including the HSE, TUC and the government for the purpose of improving the DSE Regs to offer better protection to those DSE users who do not work at a static station. This would include the use of laptops, PDA’s GPS units etc.
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102: Conference notes the increasing use of mobile
display screen equipment technology such as laptops, PDA’s, GPS etc, in all
sections of commerce and industry by our members.
The growth in the use of this technology has been accompanied by increasing concerns regarding a wide range of physical and psychological health problems that may be associated with Visual Display Unit work.
These include:
• Eyestrain and visual fatigue
• Mental and physical fatigue
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Stress
Conference agrees that the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992, as
amended in 2002, no longer affords the same standards of users care and assessment for our members using this ever increasing mobile technology, as originally intended by the spirit of the above regulations.
Conference therefore instructs the NEC to:
• Actively campaign to all relevant bodies including the HSE, TUC and the
government for the purpose of improving the Display Screen Equipment
Regulations and associated guidance, to offer better protection to those
DSE users who do not work at a static station. This would include the use
of laptops, PDA’s GPS units etc.
• Negotiate with employers, where the CWU is recognised, to obtain free eye and eyesight tests by optometrists or doctor, for anyone working with DSE.
• Ensure that if corrective eye wear is required as a result of using DSE,‘reasonable’ charges including those which meet or exceed the cost of basic frame and lenses will be reimbursed by the employer.
A report is to be given to Branches on the progress of this motion by 31 December 2010.
Eastern Regional Health and Safety Forum
Diane Strode moved the first North West Forum proposition applauding the work that hundreds of CWU Safety Reps do in union recognised workplaces and noting the external recognition which the CWU gained through the TUC Safety Rep of the Year awards on numerous occasions. It was agreed to provide specific guidance on the legal rights of Safety Reps in non-recognised areas and specific training for potential Safety Reps who work for employers with whom we are seeking recognition.
Arrangements for reporting near miss incidents across the industries where our members are represented are neither suitable nor sufficient. They fail to protect our members from potential future accidents. We will negotiate with all employers to ensure that a standardised near miss reporting procedure is introduced. This must be able to identify the systemic failures of the employer, in addition to any individual issues, and ensure the involvement of USR’s in the investigation. The procedure must also be designed in a way that actively encourages the reporting of near misses without fear of recrimination or victimisation.
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104: This conference agrees that the arrangements for
reporting near miss incidents across the industries where our members are
represented, are neither suitable nor sufficient, therefore failing to effectively
protect our members from potential future accidents. Additionally, some members that currently report these incidents are found 'blameworthy' and subject to threats of disciplinary action.
Conference calls for the NEC to enter into negotiations with all employers where
members of the CWU are represented, to ensure that a standardised near miss
reporting procedure is introduced. This procedure must be able to identify the
systemic failures of the employer, in addition to any individual issues, and
ensure the involvement of CWU safety representatives within the investigation
process. Means to ensure appropriate preventative measures are put in place to prevent reoccurrence and potential injury to our members, must be included within the procedure.
The procedure must also be designed in a way that actively encourages the reporting of near misses without fear of recrimination or victimisation. A report to be made to branches by 31/12/2010.
Eastern Regional Health and Safety Forum
The CWU is to campaign via the TUC & Government for a complete ban on Trans-fat &
Industrial fats added to food which have no nutritional value but are very damaging to heart & health.
Lee Davies went to the rostrum and expressed disgust at the Conservative Party’s approach and plans made out in their ‘reducing the burden and impact of Health & Safety’. To give employers the opportunity to ‘self-police’ and ‘make their own decisions’ and the promise to ‘remove excessive rules’. All this being said in a society where 180 are killed at work, 131 895 injuries are reported to the HSE, 246 000 actual injuries occurred and 29.3 million days were lost overall – 24.6 million in relation to work-related health and 4.7 million due to workplace injuries. This ended with a popular resolution for us to campaign hard to hold onto and seek improvements to all H&S legislation.
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107: COMPOSITE MOTION
This Conference is disgusted at the Conservative Party’s approach and
plans made out in their ‘reducing the burden and impact of Health &
Safety’. To give employers the opportunity to ‘self-police’ and ‘make
their own decisions’ and the promise to ‘remove excessive rules’. All this
being said in a society where 180 are killed at work, 131 895 injuries are
reported to the HSE, 246 000 actual injuries occurred and 29.3 million
days were lost overall – 24.6 million in relation to work-related health
and 4.7 million due to workplace injuries.
This Conference instructs the NEC to campaign hard to hold onto and
seek improvements to all H&S legislation.
North West Regional Health and Safety Forum
Scottish Regional Health and Safety Forum
For a copy of the Conference Agenda, including section 7 on health and safety, visit the E-Library Database
