Safety rep professionals

One hundred and sixty trade union safety reps have secured professional health and safety status through TUC training. Under an arrangement between the TUC and the health and safety professionals' body IOSH, safety reps who pass through the three stages of TUC safety rep training (culminating in the TUC Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health) can register to become Technician Safety Practitioners and put TechSP after their name.

The certificate takes between a year and 18 months and can be accessed in day release, evening or online sessions and is available at TUC trade union studies centres in colleges of further and higher education.

Commenting on the course firefighter Paul Christopher TechSP said: 'I am now the health and safety co-ordinator for my union, management acknowledge my credentials, treat me with respect, and ask my advice on health and safety issues.'