Health and Safety
UNISON believes health and safety in the workplace is an issue for everyone. Every year, thousands of people suffer accidents and ill-health at work – most of which could be avoided.
As well as offering direct support at work and campaigning at a local and national level, UNISON produces a wide range of guidance documents which cover many health and safety issues. These are available from the UNISON national website.
Accidents
No workplace is entirely risk free, but it is every employer’s responsibility to make sure that the potential for accidents at work is eliminated or minimised. You have the right to work in a safe environment, without unnecessary risk from accidents.
Find out more about how to get help at work here
Health and safety reps
At UNISON we aim to have at least one health and safety representative covering every workplace where we have members.
Workplaces with union safety reps and joint safety committees have half the serious injury rates as those without (The union effect, TUC publication, 2011). Our reps play an important part in keeping the workplace safe.
As well as helping to prevent accidents, our reps also provide support when things go wrong. UNISON reps advise members on:
- reporting – accidents, near misses and violence in the workplace must be reported to help prevent them from happening again;
- personal injury claims – if your employer has been negligent, you may be able to make a claim for compensation;
- UNISON accident benefit – we offer short-term financial help to members who can’t work;
There for You – we can offer longer term support to members who need more time to recover from an accident through our welfare charity, There for You;
state benefits – if you are off work because of an accident and you’re struggling financially, you may be eligible for state benefits.
Find out about becoming a UNISON Health and Safety Rep here
Find out more about how to get help at work here or contact us here
