Trade Unions Must Reaffirm Their Commitment to Health and Safety And Their Safety Reps Roles And Functions

Danger that Union Safety Rep role is being undermined

Health and safety legislation exists to protect workers. Yet, there appears to be a reluctance among some trade unions to fully utilise these laws—particularly when it comes to supporting safety reps or taking action when employers fail in their duty of care.

More worriedly, there is also an inconsistent understanding of health and safety legislation within certain union branches, particularly regarding the rights and roles of union safety representatives. In some cases, safety reps are being sidelined—both nationally and locally—by industrial relations (IR) reps. These IR reps are increasingly taking on issues that safety reps are not only better trained to handle but are legally entitled to lead on.

Even more concerning is the trend of union officials without any health and safety training or expertise entering into negotiations with employers on matters with serious health and safety implications. This includes decisions on equipment and working procedures—such as the approval of personal protective equipment (PPE)—without understanding the specific safety needs of both male and female workers. Such oversights can result in ill-fitting or inappropriate PPE, putting workers at risk.

This represents a serious abdication of responsibility. Unions have a duty to protect the health and safety of their members, to hold employers accountable for providing a safe working environment, and to ensure that all necessary procedures and equipment are in place to prevent accidents and injuries.

At the very least, union officials—whether at branch or national level—must have a solid understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act when engaging in negotiations or investigating workplace incidents.

To support this, Thompsons Solicitors has released a new guide designed to help union representatives better understand and apply the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Written by legal experts in health and safety law, the guide explains key provisions of the Act, offers practical procedures, and includes checklists tailored specifically for union reps. By equipping themselves with this knowledge, reps can ensure both employers and employees uphold the highest safety standards.

The guide also covers related legislation, including the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations, the Employment Rights Act, and more.

‘A Guide to Health & Safety for Union Representatives’ is available for download now from the Unionsafety E-Library

Source: Thompsons Solicitors