Q: Do Royal Mail have to recognise CWU Safety Reps?

 

A: Consultation is at the heart of good health and safety. While safety rules, measures and procedures can be imposed, good employers know that these work best if employees understand and support them. In addition, workers often know how to improve safety and efficiency, saving time and money. Legally speaking, all employers have a duty to consult with their employees on matters that may affect their health and safety. In particular, Royal Mail must:

 

·          Inform employees of any changes which may affect their health and safety

 

·          Inform employees of arrangements for getting competent people

 

·          Provide information on the risks and dangers at work, and the measures taken to reduce or remove them

 

·          Consult on the planning of health and safety training

 

·          Inform employees of the health and safety implications of new technology

 

·          Royal Mail must consult directly with representatives elected by the staff or appointed by CWU.

 

 

 

 Q: How can a safety rep help me?

 

 

A: The training and support safety reps receive from CWU mean that an experienced safety rep is in a good position to help you. CWU provide their safety reps with information, training and support over a wide range of health and safety issues. They are trained to spot hazards at work, assess risks, carry out inspections and negotiate improvements with management.

 

Q: What is the main legislation covering health and safety?

A:The principal legislation covering business premises is the Health & Safety at Work Order (NI) 1978. There are also a number of Regulations that fall under this Act which deal with particular health and safety issues.

 

 Q: What are the main duties that are covered by the legislation?

 

A: Our employer’s  duties include:

•   providing safe equipment and systems of work for your employees to use.

 

 

• making sure that handling, storage, transportation and use of any articles or substances is safe

 

• Providing adequate information, instruction, supervision and training on health & safety matters to your employees.

 

• Keeping the workplace well maintained including all stairs, passages and means of access and egress.

 

• Providing adequate and suitable toilet and welfare facilities.

 

• ensuring that any non-employees (customers, visitors, etc) are not put at risk by your activities.

 

Employees also must take care of their own health & safety as well as that of other staff customers and visitors, co-operate with their employer and not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health and safety purposes.

 

 

 

Q: What happens if i am injured at work?

 

A: Employers need to know that accidents have occurred so that they can prevent them from happening again. All accidents including near-misses, and all health problems must be reported to managers and your health & safety rep immediately. All accidents should be entered in the accident book.

 

 

 

:Q Do accidents get investigated?

 

A: management should investigate the accident or circumstances to discover the cause, and set up appropriate controls to prevent health or safety problems from recurring. Your safety rep will also carry out an investigation.

 

 

 

Q: Can an employer charge me for providing personal protective equipment?

 

A: No.

 

 

 

Q: Does my employer have to provide me with an eyesight test if I work with a visual display unit?

 

A: Employers have a duty to ensure the provision of an appropriate eye and eyesight test on the request of a visual display user.

 

 

 

Q: Is there a maximum temperature allowed in a workplace?

 

A: No, but The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require that during working hours the temperatures inside buildings shall be reasonable.

 

 

 

 

Q: Is there a minimum temperature allowed in a workplace?

 

 

A: Yes, the temperature in a workroom should be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius.

 

 

 

Q: What is meant by "hazard and risk"?

A: A hazard means anything that can cause harm (e.g. chemicals, electricity, working at height, machinery etc).  Risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody will be harmed by the hazard.

 

Q: What is a risk assessment?

 

 

A: Risk assessment is a technique for preventing accidents and ill health by helping people to think about what could go wrong and ways to prevent problems. Risk assessment is good practice and it is also a legal requirement.