Health and safety

Everyone should be able to go to work without having their health damaged or made worse. Yet every year, around two and a half million people are made ill because of work.

This is a huge number. Around half of these people are in pain because of injuries such as back pain, neck pain and RSI. A further half a million people have to take time off work because of stress.

Yet it is not work that makes people ill. Bad working practices and poor safety precautions are the cause.

Almost all work-related illness is avoidable, most of it through forward planning and good safety practices.

UNISON takes health and safety very seriously which is why we aim to have at least one UNISON safety representative to cover every workplace where we have members.

Tackling health and safety is often a very good way of organising among members and potential members.

Dangerous or unhealthy practices in the workplace rightly cause strong feelings which can be used positively to bring about change and improvements.

In particular it is important that we involve young members in organising around health and safety issues as they are often less likely to be aware of such problems.

The key to good health and safety is having safety representatives, safety committees and good workplace organisation.

Workplaces with trade union recognition have 50 per cent fewer accidents than those without.

Safety representatives are appointed by UNISON not the employer. Sometimes they will also be stewards.

Each branch also has a health and safety officer who will act as a link between safety representatives and the rest of the branch, and co-ordinate the activities of all safety representatives.

The health and safety rep will also give information and support, and co-ordinate branch-wide campaigns.

All UNISON members are entitled to have a safety committee within their place of employment.

Legally, every employer must establish one within three months of a request made in writing by at least two safety representatives.

The employer must consult with the safety representative making the request and with representatives of any other recognised trade unions.

They must also post a notice prominently, stating the composition of the committee and the work areas that it covers.

The Health and Safety Executive's guidance states that working out the size, shape and terms of reference of a safety committee must depend on discussion and agreement with unions.

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For more health and safety rescources, see our Health and safety section.

Advice for activists | next: Campaigning

Accidents at work

UNISON issues the following standard guidance to members on dealing with accidents at work. If you or any member needs further advice contact UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845. Reporting the accident All accidents, near misses, injuries or violence at work must be recorded in the workplace accident book. If you are ill or have to take sick leave due to an accident, injury or illness at work, visit your GP. Report the accident to your UNISON branch. It is important that unsafe working practices are rectified so that other workers do not suffer. Personal injury claims If there is negligence by your employer, UNISON may be able to represent you (without any charge) in making a legal claim for compensation. Details of the case will be considered by the union's agent solicitors and, where appropriate, they will proceed to make a claim. If you wish your case to be considered by our solicitors, contact your UNISON representative, telephone UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845 or email the UNISON accident helpline at accidenthelpline@unison.co.uk. UNISON accident benefit Members are eligible for UNISON accident benefit where they are unable to work due to an accident in the course of their employment, an accident while travelling to work or an accident while on union business. Contact your steward, or UNISONdirect. UNISON Welfare UNISON Welfare may be able to offer financial assistance in the form of a grant or a loan, or to assist in providing a recuperative break or convalescence. Application forms are available from your branch welfare officer, steward or UNISONdirect. State benefits If you are off work and receive very little or no occupational sick pay, a range of state benefits are available.