Category: Austerity
“Not just any old PPE, it must fit the wearer!” PPE 1992 Reg 4
COVID has raised awareness of the need for PPE into the minds of millions of workers. Over the last three months Barnet UNISON has heard from our members lots of issues about the lack of PPE, the rationing of PPE, the absence of PPE and poorly fitting PPE.
John Hendy QC speaking at our “Employment Rights in the COVID workplace” Zoom meeting on 3 June 2020 (see link to his talk about 14 minutes 26 seconds into the video https://youtu.be/tA2r16cqXd8) refers workers to The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, UK Statutory Instruments1992 No. 2966 Regulation 4
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, UK Statutory Instruments1992 No. 2966 Regulation 4
Provision of personal protective equipment
4.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.
(2) Every self-employed person shall ensure that he is provided with suitable personal protective equipment where he may be exposed to a risk to his health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (1) and (2), personal protective equipment shall not be suitable unless—
(a) it is appropriate for the risk or risks involved and the conditions at the place where exposure to the risk may occur;
(b) it takes account of ergonomic requirements and the state of health of the person or persons who may wear it;
(c) it is capable of fitting the wearer correctly, if necessary, after adjustments within the range for which it is designed;
(d)so far as is practicable, it is effective to prevent or adequately control the risk or risks involved without increasing overall risk;
(e)it complies with any enactment (whether in an Act or instrument) which implements in Great Britain any provision on design or manufacture with respect to health or safety in any relevant Community directive listed in Schedule 1 which is applicable to that item of personal protective equipment.
John Hendy makes it clear that this is a key piece of legislation. If the PPE being provided by your employer does not fit or causes an allergic reaction to the point you cannot wear it then they need to secure PPE that you can wear.
Results of Care workers Testing survey 2 June 2020
“IMPORTANT Update: Guidance and template letter for vulnerable employees (England)”
28 May 2020.
Please read the latest guidance provided by UNISON
This guidance covers:
1 Clinically extremely vulnerable employees (people at high risk)
2 Clinically vulnerable employees (people at moderate risk)
3 Employees living with / caring for the vulnerable or extremely vulnerable
4 Black employees
5 Older employees (over 60)
6 Employees who have childcare responsibilities
7 Employees who are feeling anxious about returning to work
8 Template letter to head teacher
Click on the link to read the guidance
If you need any help with this advice please contact the branch office at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
“Employment Rights in the COVID workplace.”
Joint Trade Union Zoom meeting
“Employment Rights in the COVID workplace.”
Wednesday 3 June at 6pm
Guest Speaker Lord John Hendy QC
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85973549465?pwd=SDBKVkM0RXU0Wmd2Sjk1VGFpVE5BQT09
Meeting ID: 859 7354 9465
Password: 271623
Special Schools Zoom meeting Friday 29 May 11 am
Barnet UNISON schools zoom meeting
Friday May 29, 2020 11:00 AM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87940065427?pwd=VUR5Y1lBd2oxc3pKQU1oODRyc0F4QT09
Meeting ID: 879 4006 5427
Password: 851270
Updated 5 June : Barnet Schools Risk Assessments for Reopening submitted to Barnet UNISON
This list is accurate as of Monday 1 June 2020.
- Akiva,
- All Saints N20,
- All Saints NW2
- Alma
- AP Barnet Oakhill
- Ashmole Academy (Primary and Secondary).
- Barnfields,
- Beit Shvidler
- Bell Lane,
- Blessed Dominic,
- Broadfields Primary
- Brunswick Park
- Chalgrove Primary
- Childs Hill
- Christ Church Primary
- Christ College Finchley,
- Claremont
- Colindale
- Coppetts Wood,
- Cromer Road,
- Danegrove
- Deansbrook
- Dollis Primary,
- Edgware
- Elliot Foundation,
- Fairway,
- Foulds School,
- Frith Manor Primary
- Garden Suburb Junior
- Goldbeaters and Orion
- Grasvenor
- Hasmonean
- Hendon,
- Hollickwood
- Holly Trinity
- Hyde
- Independent Jewish Day School
- Livingstone School,
- Mapledown,
- Martin Primary
- Menorah
- Monken Hadley
- Monkfrith,
- Moss Hall Federation
- Moss Hall Nursery,
- Noam Primary
- Oakhill
- Oaklodge Special School,
- Oakleigh Special School
- Osidge
- Our Lady of Lourdes
- Pardes House
- Pavillion
- QE Girls
- Queenswell
- Rosh Pinah
- Sacks Morasha
- Sacred Heart Primary,
- Squires Lane Learning Federation (Tudor and Manorside).
- St Agnes,
- St Andrews CE
- St Catherines,
- St Johns N11
- St Johns N20
- St Josephs
- St Marys N£
- St Marys NW3
- St Pauls N11,
- St Pauls NW7
- St Theresa
- St Vincents
- Summerside REACH Academy,
- Sunnyfields,
- The Annunciation
- The Pavilion
- Totteridge Academy
- Trent Primary,
- Underhill
- Wessex Gardens
- Whitings
- Woodcroft Primary
- Woodridge Primary.
- Wren
IF
your school in not on this list but you have seen a Risk Assessment for your school, please contact Barnet UNISON on contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
WE NEED YOU: Become a rep
OK, the big return to work is about to commence –
Do you feel safe?
Has your workplace been Risk Assessed?
Have you had PPE provided?
Do you want to be part of the conversation about returning to work safely with your employer?
WE NEED YOU!
Workplace shop Stewards are the lifeblood of the union
YOU are the experts in your area of work
Help us to help you
Become a UNISON Steward and make the return to work safe for you and your colleagues.
Email us at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
Breaking News: Barnet UNISON ending Lockdown survey results
We asked our members (most of whom are working from home) one question.
“Do you feel that it is safe for you to go back to work?”
94% of our School UNISON members felt it was not safe.
85% of our Capita UNISON members felt it was not safe.
79% of our Barnet Council UNISON members felt it was not safe.
79% of our Barnet Homes members felt it was not safe
Capita refusing share COVID risk assessments with Barnet UNISON
Dear Members
Barnet UNISON as part of our efforts to ensure all of our members was safe contacted Capita in order that we could take part in the Risk Assessment consultation process.
Our branch has been busy for the last 8 weeks supporting and advising our members working and dealing with the COVID 19 risk in the workplace.
Whilst many staff are able to work from home there are staff who have to go out into the community to deal with the public.
It is important that all employers comply with Health and Safety Legislation in relation to Risk Assessments.
Now more than ever all employers should understand the importance of carrying out Risk Assessments for all of their staff in order they can provide assurances their workplace is safe.
It is important to note but as of Friday 22 May 2020, Barnet UNISON has not been consulted on any Risk Assessment for any job role being carried out by our members on both Capita contracts.
We have seen a Capita generic Risk Assessment which as soon as we challenged it Capita admitted it was out of date.
Barnet UNISON was informed that Capita compliance team issued 3 generic risk assessments (which have seen) which we were told would be a starting point for discussions around role specific Risk Assessments for staff working on the two Barnet contracts.
This was positive news.
Barnet UNISON requested the contact details for the manager responsible for coordinating the Risk Assessments on both Capita contracts in Barnet.
Capita responded stating they will not share or agree all risk assessments as requested as this is not something as an organisation that we do.
The health, safety and welfare of our members working for Capita is a serious matter and as such we have escalated this matter to UNISON National as the following legislation must be followed by the employer.
It is worrying that in this current COVID Pandemic where serious and fatal risks are being faced by workers every day that any employer would refuse to share or agree Risk Assessments with a Trade Union.
Relevant Legislation: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Regulation 3 – employers must conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments
Regulation 4 – requires employer to control hazards at source
Regulation 7 – employer must appoint competent persons to conduct RA
Regulation 10 – workers must be given comprehensive and relevant information about risks
Regulation 13 – employers must ensure workers are capable and trained
Regulation 16/19 – RA must take account of women of child-bearing age and young people’s risks.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Regulation 4 states:
Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.
If you have any concerns please email the branch on contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
End.