News from around the World

News Archive

April 2020

Event: A Life Course Approach to Work and Health

27-29 October 2020, Grand Hotel, Reykjavik, Iceland

Maintaining and maximizing a healthy working life is important for building healthy societies. To promote healthy aging throughout working life and to extend healthy lives, a life course perspective must be integrated into work and health research.

This course introduces participants to core life course concepts. The participants will learn how core life course concepts can be applied to work and health research, policy and practice.

Course objectives

Upon completing the course, participants will understand how a life course approach has implications for work and health research, policy and practice. They will be able to use the core life course concepts to inform their work and health research, policy and practice.

Target group

Persons with an interest in integrating a broader life course perspective in their research or work area, including:

• PhD students
• Post-doctoral fellows
• OHS professionals, including physicians, ergonomists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, industrial hygienists
• Sociologists, psychologists, epidemiologists
• Labour and education policy makers

More information: https://niva.org/course/a-life-course-approach-to-work-and-health

HSE issues a joint statement with The Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic

This is an extremely worrying time for businesses and workers. We know many workers, union reps and employers have questions and concerns about safe working – especially for those continuing to attend a place of work away from their homes.

This statement by the Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland (PHASS) is intended to clarify the position. The health and safety of workers remains paramount. Employers must continue to provide workers with information about risks to their health and the actions their employers must take.

We have high expectations of how fair work principles should be applied during the current crisis. This means an approach where workers, trade unions and employers work together constructively to reach the right decisions on all workplace issues that arise throughout this crisis. The dimensions of fair work as defined by the Fair Work Convention: effective voice; security; respect; opportunity and fulfilment, applied to the current context, offer a framework for taking these decisions.

Full statement: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2020/04/08/coronavirus-a-joint-statement-with-the-partnership-on-health-and-safety-in-scotland

Coronavirus: A joint statement between HSE, the TUC and the CBI

This is an extremely worrying time for firms and workers. We know many workers, union reps and employers have questions and concerns about safe working – especially for those continuing to work away from home.

This joint statement between the Health and Safety Executive, the TUC and the CBI is intended to clarify the position. The health and safety of workers remains paramount. Employers must continue to provide workers with information about risks to their health and the actions their employers must take.

Social distancing is a key public health measure introduced by Public Health England to reduce the spread of infection. Most employers are going to great lengths to ensure social distancing wherever possible. The HSE, CBI and TUC wish to publicly support these efforts. Firms that can safely stay open and support livelihoods should not be forced to close by misunderstandings about government guidance.

Full statement: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2020/04/03/coronavirus-a-joint-statement-between-hse-the-tuc-and-the-cbi

HSE issues exemption for the manufacture and supply of biocidal hand sanitiser products in the UK

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken steps to support hand sanitiser manufacturers as UK production is increasing to tackle Coronavirus

Due to unprecedented demand for biocidal hand sanitiser products during the coronavirus outbreak, HSE is providing derogations that will assist the UK manufacture and supply of biocidal hand-sanitiser products that use propanol as their active ingredients.

During the temporary exemption, biocidal hand sanitiser products containing Propan-2-ol will not be required to obtain a product authorisation if they meet the relevant WHO-specified formulation II.

Article 55 (1) of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) enables HSE, in cases of danger to public health, animal health or the environment which cannot be contained by other means, to provide short term derogations from the requirements for product authorisation.

Manufacturers in scope of the derogation should read the advice provided in the link below.

More information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2020/03/27/hse-issues-exemption-for-the-manufacture-and-supply-of-biocidal-hand-sanitiser-products-in-the-uk

More News from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Fit testing face masks to avoid transmission during the coronavirus outbreak

Guidance on face fit testing and the measures that should be taken to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/face-mask-ppe-rpe-coronavirus.htm

Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak

What steps you and your business should take during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/social-distancing-coronavirus.htm

RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19

When, what and how you should report under RIDDOR: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/riddor-reporting-coronavirus.htm

Eurofound online survey asks for your help

The COVID-19 pandemic is having wide-ranging effects on people’s quality of life and work. Eurofound has launched a 10-minute e-survey to capture the most immediate changes and their impact. This is about you. Your life. Your work. Together we will help shape the response to this crisis.

Survey: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/topic/covid-19#s-04

UK TUC to shine a light on coronavirus risks on 28 April 2020 International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD)

The TUC is to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) by highlighting the preventable and wholly unacceptable risks to workers posed by the coronavirus.

The annual 28 April event is when unions “renew our efforts to organise collectively to prevent more deaths, injuries and disease as a result of work,” the TUC’s dedicated webpages note.

The union body adds the event is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK government. “This year we are all working in unique circumstances, as the coronavirus pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Hundreds have lost their lives to the virus while working on the frontline, acting to protect the public and to keep society running. Workers are risking their lives every day, while many are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place,” the TUC adds. “We could not have a starker reminder of the important role of trade union health and safety reps in saving and protecting workers’ lives. We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351511

Companies working hard to manage during these testing times of COVID-19

Heather Beach, Managing Director, The Healthy Work Company writes:

We are getting some great reports about companies working hard to manage this period in the best way possible with their teams but I am sure you can always use additional support so we have been working hard on more resources for you.

1. Our ten tips for homeworkers was shared very widely all over the world and we have now amended it in line with government guidelines for the UK.
2. We have produced a graphic to support with spotting the signs of someone struggling – when you are only seeing them on video.
3. Finally, we know that even for the most resilient, this is an anxious period so here is a graphic focusing on what they control versus what is they focus on what they can control.

ALL of these can be used within your organisation and are available to download: https://healthy-working.com/resources

Finally, having now run dozens of webinars about healthy home working and healthy home working for managers, we are switching our attention to our core competences – dealing with someone struggling with their wellbeing.

Our manager course has been revised to include someone struggling when you don’t see them physically. We are running an open course via zoom for you to try this for free on 17 April 2020, 10 am – spaces are limited to 30 attendees therefore don’t delay in registering here:

Heather Beach, Managing Director
The Healthy Work Company
https://healthy-working.com
+44 (0)7825 832565

All the very best – we are in this together!

UK Government must protect pregnant workers, says TUC

The TUC has called on the government to protect the health, jobs and income of pregnant workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Employers already have a legal duty to keep their pregnant employees safe, says the TUC. Health and safety law says that if they can’t do that in their workplace, then they should allow pregnant staff to work from home. If pregnant women can’t work at home in their current role, bosses must offer them other suitable work for the same rate of pay that can be done safely or suspend them on full pay to protect their health – and that of their unborn baby.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351513

UK TUC calls for global response to coronavirus outbreak

An urgent global response is required to address massive job losses caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the TUC has said.

Responding to a report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which this week predicted the equivalent of 195 million full-time job losses globally in the next three months, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Hundreds of thousands of people are losing their jobs around the world every day. It’s vital they all have the support they need to make ends meet and are not thrown into poverty.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351514

Stop work if not protected, UK union tells transport workers

UK Transport union RMT has told it members in the rail and bus sectors they should stop work if employers do not provide protection from coronavirus exposures.

The union’s message to members follows escalating concerns that many employers are not taking steps to protect transport workers despite rail and bus staff playing a key role in keeping people and goods moving in the fight against COVID-19.

The RMT advice says rail and bus workers should stop work and invoke the “safe work procedure if employers do not follow key protection measures” including “only conducting activities and tasks that are necessary for running the essential services for key workers and movement of freight during the emergency.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351517

Call for non-essential UK public transport to stand down

All non-essential public transport workers should be stood down, TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes has said.

He was commenting after official figures revealed a dramatic change in the use of public transport since the coronavirus lockdown, with national rail usage dropping to below 20 per cent of previous levels across Britain. Cortes, the head of the transport and travel union, said: “We can clearly see numbers using public transport, and our railways in particular, have fallen dramatically.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351518

UK Highways work warning after social distancing bypass

Highways maintenance workers who are undertaking a crucial role keeping the UK’s road network open are being prevented from following social distancing guidelines, the union Unite has warned.

It says the outsourced key workers have been told that the client, Highways England, has said that it should be ‘business as usual.’ Unite says that while in some depots, canteens and mess areas have been closed, workers are still operating in two and three person crews, travelling together in cabs and cannot social distance while on site. The union said it understands that it is essential emergency work such as repairing barrier damage, filling potholes, clearing up spillages and fixing boundary fences where there is nearby livestock needs to continue.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351530

Recent UK Coronavirus Legislation

The Electronic Monitoring (Responsible Persons) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020
SI 2020 No. 418
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/418/made

The Criminal Procedure (Amendment No. 2) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020
SI 2020 No. 417 (L. 12)
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/417/made

The Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020
SI 2020 No. 416 (L. 11)
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/416/made

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020
SI 2020 No. 415
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/415/made

The National Health Service (Performers Lists) (England) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
SI 2020 No. 411
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/411/made

The Offender Management Act 2007 (Coronavirus) (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
SI 2020 No. 401
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/401/made

New British Safety Council guidance documents

Working from Heights
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries in the workplace, resulting in the deaths of 40 workers in Britain in 2018/19 alone. As a result, UK employers have strict duties under health and safety law to prevent anyone at work falling a distance that could injure them. This 20-page guide will explain what your organisation can do to avoid worker falls from height. The range of topics covered includes: What the law says on falls from height; Hierarchy of controls; Working platforms; Safety inspections; Tower scaffolds; Ladders and stepladders; Falls from vehicles.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/working-at-height-1

Vulnerable workers
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Explains some of the steps employers should take to protect workers who could be particularly at risk of injury or ill health, such as new or young employees, new and expectant mothers and staff who have language or literacy difficulties.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/vulnerable-workers

Preventing slips and trips
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Slips, trips and falls on the same level are the most common cause of injury at work in Britain. The 20-page guide provides an overview of the steps employers can take to eliminate or control the risk of slip and trip injuries. Topics include: The causes of slips and trips; What the law says; Managing the risks; Preventing contamination; Stairs and ramps; Preventing trips.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/slips-and-trips-3

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Whether it’s respirators that protect against inhaling deadly fumes or high visibility clothing that makes the wearer more easily seen by drivers of vehicles, it’s clear that personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in protecting the health and safety of workers. This 20-page guide is based on HSE guidance and provides an overview of the law around the provision and use of PPE at work. Topics covered include: Types of Personal Protective equipment; PPE; Hand and arm protection; Protective clothing; Foot protection.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/personal-protective-equipment

Noise at work
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noise – whether at work or elsewhere – can have a terrible impact on an individual’s quality of life, in the worst cases leaving them socially isolated as they struggle to follow and take part in everyday conversation. This guide provides an overview of employers’ legal duties to tackle health and safety risks from noise at work and offers some advice on practical noise control measures. Topics covered include: Hearing damage; What the law says; Assessing the risks; Noise control; Personal protective equipment.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/noise-at-work

Office Safety Guide
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Although offices are generally seen as low risk working environments, office work is in fact associated with a variety of hazards and risks to workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. Our 20-page guide gives advice on managing health and safety in the office, including: The correct use of display screen equipment; Assessing your workstations; Safe manual handling; Managing work-related stress; Preventing slips and trips; Advice for homeworkers.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/office-safety

Occupational Health
British Safety Council, 2020, 20 pages
Provides advice on preventing and managing a variety of health issues caused or aggravated by work, such as respiratory diseases, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disorders.
Occupational health has increasingly come into focus for employers due to factors such as improved reporting and monitoring of worker sickness absence and increasing numbers of people living with health conditions. There is also a growing awareness of the business benefits of ensuring a healthy workplace, since research shows that healthy and motivated workers are more likely to ‘go the extra mile’ at work and have lower absence levels. This guide provides introductory guidance on managing some common occupational health risks, such as stress and musculoskeletal disorders. Topics covered include: The scale of the problem; Stress and mental health; Musculoskeletal disorders; Hazardous substances; Drugs and alcohol; Wellness at work.
https://www.britsafe.org/products/occupational-health

Ireland’s National Health and Safety Authority (H&SA) new guidance on Construction Site Management

Construction Site Traffic Management Plan Forms (CSTMP)

This Construction Site Traffic Management Plan (CSTMP) will help a PSCS or small contractor in developing a traffic management plan for work on construction sites (not live roads). The Construction Site Traffic Management Plan or CSTMP has been developed to help the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) and contractors to identify hazards and apply appropriate controls so that the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on a construction site are managed and coordinated. The CSTMP has not been developed for the implementation of roadworks on live roads. Where roadworks are to be carried out on live roads the requirements of Chapter 8 and Temporary Traffic Management Guidance should be considered and implemented as required.

Guidance: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/construction/construction_site_traffic_management_plan_cstmp_guidance.html

Form: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/construction/construction_site_traffic_management_plan_cstmp_forms.html

Coronavirus – Construction Plant Hire (CPA) Model Conditions and Site Shutdowns – 26 March Update

Site Shutdowns and the CPA Position – 26 March 2020

In light of the current situation with the Coronavirus, sites may be shut down by either the Client or Government with little or no notice.

If you are concerned about any plant which may remain on site, and the contract was made under the Construction Plant Hire (CPA) Model Conditions, then you should review the following four key clauses: 24(a), 23(b), 25 and 13(b).

Please note that these clauses stipulate the Member’s position from purely a contractual point of view. We understand that this situation is unprecedented and outside the scope of normal contractual arrangements. Members may deviate from the strict contractual position should they wish, particularly when charging the customer during this period. The correct course of action will need to be assessed for each set of circumstances, and should take into account:

• How long the site may be closed for (some sites are closing for short periods while the work is re-programmed and re-organised);
• Whether the customer has hired-in plant insurance that will continue during shutdown;
• The practicality of collecting the plant, in line with government advice that construction work can continue, provided it is done in line with the current Standard Operating Procedures published by CLC.

Full statement: https://www.cpa.uk.net/news-events/cpamodelconditionssiteshutdowns

Campaigners hit out at COVID-19 work safety failings

Millions of lives have been needlessly put at risk by the government’s inadequate response to the coronavirus pandemic, health and safety campaigners have warned.

The Hazards Campaign’s analysis has identified a catalogue of government shortfalls, including its refusal to stop all non-essential work, an inability to supply health service staff with protective equipment and failure to introduce a comprehensive testing and tracking system to contain the virus. It has criticised in strong terms the workplace safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), for inaction.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351531

Prison union welcomes early release of inmates

Prison officers’ union POA has welcome a government decision to release thousands of low risk prisoners to reduce the health risk posed by coronavirus to prison inmates and staff.

Secretary of state for justice Robert Buckland this week said he intends to begin the early release of low risk prisoners in the coming days. In a private meeting with the POA, the Lord Chancellor confirmed that up to 4,000 prisoners within the last two months of their Automatic Early Release date would be released from prisons under home detention curfew conditions. These would require them to wear an ankle tag and have stable accommodation in place.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351535

Global: Unions call for universal social protection fund

The international trade union confederation ITUC has called for a global fund to protect public health, social protection and jobs in poor nations.

The call came after the global union body’s survey found that while wage protection and income support are provided in many G20 and OECD countries, working people in Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas have lost jobs and incomes and could face widespread famine unless there is urgent global co-ordination and fiscal stimulus measures.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-942-11-april-2020#_Toc37351537

TUC policy proposal: Fixing the safety net – Next steps in the economic response to coronavirus

This report sets out what the government must now do to protect jobs, provide proper sick pay for all and protect the livelihoods of those who lose their jobs.

The last few weeks have seen an unprecedented change in the economic situation of the UK. Since the Prime Minister announced a full ‘lockdown’ on the 23rd March, economic activity in the UK has been rightly restricted in the service of protecting public health.

The TUC has clear priorities throughout this crisis. First, to ensure that public health is protected. Second, to protect workers’ jobs and livelihoods.

Following calls from the TUC and unions the government has announced welcome schemes to try to keep people in work. Protecting jobs must be the first step to protecting incomes and ensuring the country can get back on its feet when the crisis subsides. We set out further steps to improve these schemes below.

But there is still more to do to ensure everyone who is sick gets the income support they need and support the livelihoods of those who do lose their jobs.

Full report: https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/fixing-safety-net-next-steps-economic-response-coronavirus

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and guidance

Social distancing and keeping business open by working safely

HSE has produced guidelines on how businesses must maintain social distancing and protect their staff during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The guidance explains what employers must do in order to keep their businesses open and it covers:

• social distancing
• essential and non-essential work
• safe in-work activity

Read the guidelines for more information.

Regulating during the outbreak

HSE’s regulatory approach will take a flexible and proportionate account of the risks and challenges arising from the pandemic.

As Britain’s statutory regulator of occupational health and safety, HSE has taken action to ensure that their important role continues effectively as the coronavirus situation unfolds.

These actions are being guided by the specific needs and characteristics of the various sectors HSE regulate and in line with advice from the UK government, Public Health England, Public Health Wales and Health Protection Scotland.

Read more about how HSE is regulating during the coronavirus outbreak.

Advice for those temporarily working at home

HSE has advice for those working from home on a temporary basis during the coronavirus pandemic.

There is no increased risk from display screen equipment (DSE) work for those working at home temporarily, so in that situation employers do not need to do home workstation assessments.

However, HSE have useful advice to help you reduce DSE risks, including a short video showing how you can achieve a reasonable posture, while temporarily working at home.

First aid cover and qualifications during the coronavirus outbreak

Find out what you can to do to comply with the law if first aid cover is reduced because of coronavirus.

If first aid cover for your business is reduced because of coronavirus or you can’t get the first aid training you need, there are some things you can do so that you still comply with the law.

Find out more about first aid cover.

Hand sanitiser – manufacture and supply

HSE is helping to ensure manufacturers and supply chains can meet the increased demand for biocidal hand sanitiser products during the outbreak.

HSE is working closely with other government agencies, manufacturers and their trade associations to help ensure they can continue to meet the increased demand for vital Active Substances.

Find out how HSE has taken steps to help deal with this.

Arrangements for regulation of chemicals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

HSE is continuing to provide services for regulating chemicals during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made some administrative changes, these are set out for each chemical regime, with updated details on how you can contact them.

Commemorating 28 April 2020: World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 – Violence and Harassment in the World of Work

The 2020 World Day for safety and health at work will focus on violence and harassment in the world of work.

Workplace violence and harassment is a significant and ongoing threat to worker health and safety, as well as to organisational productivity and reputation.

In June 2019, at the Centenary Conference of the ILO, the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206) were adopted, calling for the prohibition and prevention of violence and harassment in the world of work.

As part of the 2020 World Day for safety and health at work campaign, the ILO will produce a global report, highlighting how a comprehensive OSH framework at both national and workplace level could address violence and harassment in the world of work.

This includes for example incorporating provisions related to violence and harassment into OSH laws, regulations and collective agreements and developing specific standards, code of practices and guidelines to support the implementation of programmes and preventive measures in the workplaces.

At the workplace level, sound OSH management systems can include the assessment and control of psychosocial risks including the interplay with violence and harassment.

More information: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/events-training/events-meetings/world-day-safety-health-at-work/WCMS_733542/lang--en/index.htm

Keeping Children safe at home

RoSPA is working hard to keep children safe at home. Current government advice to stay at home now makes this more vital than ever, as does the need to take any additional pressure off the NHS.

As part of this year’s Family Safety Week, RoSPA delighted to offer you an exclusive 50% discount on both the Keeping Kids Safe Packs, and Digital Safety and Health Awareness Resources.

Keeping Kids Safe packs can be sent to employees with young children, to help them recognise and remove risks around their houses and the digital resources in the Safety and Health Awareness Resources can be shared electronically with all staff.

Badged with your logo, and RoSPA’s, they’re great to kick start home safety conversations, and parents looking to keep children occupied will hopefully appreciate the activity sheets!

Don’t forget to follow RoSPA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more family safety tips.

More information: https://www.rospa.com/shop/products

Stop the pandemic at work

In response to the worldwide coronavirus crisis, the global union confederation ITUC has announced unions are to make ‘Stop the pandemic at work’ a major campaign focus.

The union has produced a series of posters and resources to kick off the campaign, which will build to a day of ‘virtual’ action on 28 April 2020, International Workers’ Memorial Day. ITUC says while everyone is affected by the crisis, workers are on the frontline.

“Healthcare workers in particular are risking their lives doing their job to take care of the sick,” noted ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow. “There are people working in aged care facilities looking after the most vulnerable group of people. But then we also need transport, supermarket workers, and providers of for essential services, to keep the economy going. People should thank these workers because if you can’t buy food, then you can’t keep your family sustained and healthy.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-941-2-april-2020#_Toc36714204

RCM concern over PPE shortage for midwives

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called on the government to ensure that midwives and maternity support workers receive appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure they remain safe and well so they can continue to care for people.

The union call came as health care workers across the NHS said they were encountering difficulties obtaining the correct masks, aprons, goggles and gloves.

Gill Walton, chief executive of the RCM, said: “There are midwives, maternity support workers and thousands of other NHS health care professionals working right now without adequate supplies of personal protective equipment. Our members in different parts of the UK have been contacting us with their concerns. Midwives across the country are caring for pregnant women with suspected COVID-19 symptoms without adequate resources to protect themselves.”

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-940-28-march-2020#_Toc36033397

ETUI Timeline COVID Social Impact

Monitoring the social and employment consequences of the coronavirus in the European Union

In this time of crisis, it is difficult to keep up with the latest developments on COVID-19 and be able to have a full picture on the impact on the world of work. Many organisations offer data visualisation on the spreading of the disease or the number of casualties.

The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) is focussing on the workers’ perspective. This is why it is launching COVID Social Impact platform to monitor the social and employment consequences of the COVID-19 in European member states. In addition and complementary to the ETUC’s COVID-19-Watch Briefing notes, it is collecting all actions from trade unions, social partners, national governments, European Union institutions and international organisations.

Additionally, the ETUI has compiled a special Timeline of events to track and trace specifically the EU’s and member states’ very first responses to this new global crisis. This COVID Social Impact Timeline is being produced by Christophe Degryse, senior researcher at the Foresight Unit of the ETUI, and will be regularly updated.

ETUI hopes these sets of resources to be of help for the labour movement, researchers, academics and practitioners working on social and employment policies in Europe.

For more information: https://www.etui.org

UK Employers need to step up mental health support

Only 31 per cent of managers would feel confident to have sensitive discussions around mental health with workers, new figures from the UK human resources body CIPD have revealed.

CIPD is warning that employers need to act now to help prevent their employees from being at serious risk of mental ill-health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It says fear of infection and feeling isolated, along with concerns about job or income loss are just some of the knock-on effects from the pandemic that are likely to increase the pressure and stress on employees.

CIPD’s Health and Well-being Survey at Work 2020 report, which surveyed 1,018 human resources professionals representing 4.5 million employees, found the majority of managers were falling short on this front even before the crisis started. Only 31 per cent of respondents say managers are confident to have sensitive discussions around mental health and to signpost staff to expert sources of help if needed.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/risks-941-2-april-2020#_Toc36714227

Authoritative and Validated Information websites…

… to help you maintain good health and safety standards in your workplace and also for your workers who may be working from home during the worldwide Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

https://www.hse.gov.uk

National Health Service (NHS)

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

OSHWORLD

Long established collection of websites around the world containing authoritative and validated occupational health and safety information

www.oshworld.com

Public Health England

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

World Health Organisation (WHO)

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Events

Safety & Health Expo 2020 and its co-located events

These were originally scheduled to be staged in May 2020 and will now be held at ExCeL London on 8–10 September 2020.

Take your place at Europe’s leading dedicated health and safety event.

Register for your free ticket today

It is the UK’s central meeting place for the health and safety industry, and the perfect showcase for the products, solutions and technologies transforming the health, safety and workplace wellbeing market.

Taking place at ExCeL London on 8-10 September 2020, Safety & Health Expo brings together thousands of global professionals and hundreds of leading exhibitors to share solutions, knowledge, insights and real-world case studies.

Why attend Safety & Health Expo 2020?

• Test and compare the most innovative health and safety products on the market from leading suppliers such as Draeger, Bolle Safety, ABUS (UK), RRC International, Vismo Lone Worker Solutions and Martor UK
• Boost your CPD and enhance your health and safety knowledge with 75+ hours of seminar sessions, presentations, legislation updates and real-world case studies
• Build relationships and grow your network through valuable networking opportunities with the global health and safety profession
• Enhance your workplace wellbeing strategy with insights, education and solutions from the neighbouring Workplace Wellbeing Show, accessible for free with your event badge

More information: https://www.shponline.co.uk/she-2020/safety-health-expo-and-co-located-shows-rescheduled-to-take-place-on-8-10-september-2020-at-london-excel

New date for the UK “On Your Feet Day 2020” postponed due to COVID-19

On Your Feet Britain® is to be delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The new date for On Your Feet Day 2020 is Thursday, 24 September 2020.

The annual action day, when office workers across the nation stand up for their health, was originally scheduled for 24 April 2020.

On Your Feet Day founder Gavin Bradley says: “In the current environment, we have no choice but to delay our annual fun #sitless #movemore office worker day, which has benefited millions of participants over the past six years. However, we continue to encourage desk-based workers to make every effort to ‘wiggle, waggle it’ on a regular basis for the good of their health – wherever you are working from. On Your Feet 2020 will now take place on Thursday, 24 September 2020 with our re-dated materials, prizes and support for the active working community.”

OYF organiser Get Britain Standing® will carry over all registrations so far, and will be making revised download materials available in due course.

On Your Feet Britain® is a free event to encourage staff to participate in a variety of fun and simple activities in the workplace that help them break the harmful “binge sitting” habit. Now in its sixth year, OYF has over 2 million office workers participating from over 3,000 companies. The event is run by the Get Britain Standing® campaign, in association with Active Working, a community interest company.

Find out more here. https://getbritainstanding.org