Consulting the workforce
You have a legal requirement to consult your employees on health and safety. You can do that either individually or through safety representatives.
If you recognise UNISON, it will appoint safety representatives to work with you on health and safety issues.
This can greatly reduce the number of accidents. Workplaces with trade union recognition and safety representatives have fifty percent fewer accidents than those without.
It is also easier to consult the workforce through safety representatives than to consult each worker individually. UNISON safety representatives receive training on health and safety and have access to up to date information on safety matters that they will be able to share with you.
They can also make representations, on behalf of their members, on any health, safety and welfare matter that otherwise staff may be reluctant to raise on their own. By inspecting the workplace regularly they will also be able to bring to your attention hazards that could injure someone.
You should also consider having a joint safety committee. A safety committee is the best way of ensuring that management and staff get together regularly to discuss safety issues.
If you already have safety representatives, the law says that every employer requested in writing by at least two safety representatives must establish a safety committee within three months of the request.
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.
If you do not yet recognise UNSON, you should still consider establishing a safety committee if you have more than 12 employees.
Have you got an up to date safety policy?
