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UNISON believe that everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment. The role of health and safety is becoming more crucial as staff reduce and pressure and stresses increase. Many of our members know what it's like to experience stress, violence or accidents and injuries at work. Tackling health and safety is also a very good way of organising in the workplace.

The Branch campaign locally for better workplace conditions and report on employers when they fail to comply with legislation.

If you require any information on health and safety issues

contact the Moray Branch Health and Safety Officer s,

Steve Clegg and John Muir

Click here to find out how to become a Health & Safety Rep .

Get Involved

Safety reps would typically monitor health and safety in the workplace, carry out inspections and ensure proper risk assessments are carried out. We need people in every workplace to act as advisors and watchdogs on health and safety issues.

You will receive full training and support from UNISON as well as paid time off from your employer to carry out your union role.

UNISON provides special introductory and follow up courses for health and safety reps. Contact the branch to find out when and where the next training course will be held or why not visit our Lifelong Learning Section to find out more about training.

Like stewards, safety reps are chosen by union members, not the employer.

For more information on becoming a health and safety representative contact the branch or the Health and Safety Branch Officers

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Latest Health and Safety News

	Health and Safety Week - Inspection Day 20 Oct
	(11/8/04) Kitchen work causes back pain - Radical overhaul of layout, design and working practices called for
	(11/8/04) Employers failing to understand duty to pregnant workers: Positive attitudes not matched by awareness of law
	(15/7/04) Law needs to recognise cost of bullying: Union urges change to law after Lords overturn compensation judgement
	National No Smoking Day - 10th March 2004 Smoking should be classed as killer chemical at work. On National No Smoking Day the TUC is calling for tobacco smoke to be classified as a 'hazardous chemical' under European law and restricted in workplaces, including bars and restaurants, like other dangerous substances.
	Work-life balance policies UNISON's revamped section explains how improved work-life balance policies can help everyone - not just parents - at work and at home. It details employment legislation and maternity/paternity rights and includes advice on bargaining with your employer for a better deal.
	Time up for Sexism Sexual harassment is still rife in some workplaces - and that makes it a big issue for trade unions. We report on the challenges women still face in the 21st century.

Hitting Home at Work about Domestic Violence
A quarter of all women in the UK experience some form of domestic abuse. And this affects their position in the workplace. We look at how employers can do much more to help

Violence at work: Claims against employers - what makes a good civil claim?: UNISON General Secretary's Newsletter Article

New UK UNISON Health & Safety Site for Community & Voluntary Organisation: has launched a new website aimed at giving free health and safety information to small and medium sized community and voluntary organisations. The site contains a range of guidance and basic information aimed specifically at the C&V sector, as well as giving links to UNISON and HSE publications and guidance. (18/09/03) Visit: www.healthandsafetyinfo.org.uk

Moray Council Health and Safety Committee

Moray UNISON recognised that there was no corporate Health and Safety Committee at Moray Council. We have recently been successful at forcing its creation and we are now well placed to drive our agenda for improving safe working practices for our members.

If you have any issues you would like us to raise, please contact your workplace steward or the branch Health and Safety Officers .

Useful Resources

	UNISON: Stress at Work - A Guide for Safety Reps
	Health and Safety Organiser - Issue 28: This issue of the Health and Safety Organiser includes articles on Local Authority Inspections, Health and Safety Week 2003, information on the Stress pilot in Local Government and a Special Feature on Body and Risk Mapping.
	Bullying at Work-Guidelines for UNISON branches, stewards & safety reps: These guidelines set out what UNISON branches, stewards and safety representatives can do to combat bullying in the workplace. They can be used to offer advice and support to UNISON members who experience bullying in the workplace and will also help in developing or negotiating policies on bullying.
	Health and Safety Organiser - April 2003 Issue 26: This issue features articles on lone worker, Workers Memorial Day 2003, Roving Safety Reps, Menopause - a Workplace Issue, Guidance for Pregnant Women.
	TUC Report - Bullying at Work - Don't Suffer in Silence

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Useful Web-links

	Bully On-line
	European Legislation on Safety at Work
	Health & Safety Executive
	Health & Safety at Work Act
	Health & Consumer Protection [The European Commission]
	Moray Council's Health and Safety Index (Moray Council Intranet Only)
	Public Concern at Work
	Protection from Harassment Act 1997
	Trouble At Work: UNISON's employment advice website offers useful h & s information.
	TUC One Stop Safety and Health Shop
	UNISONScotland Health and Safety Scotland Site
	UNISON UK Health and Safety National Site and Resources Site
	UNISON UK Health & Safety Site for Community & Voluntary Organisation:
	Workplace Bullying, Stress, Employment Law and You
	WorkStress.Net

Last updated 08/02/2005
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