A chance to put the case for safety reps' rights

A new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consultation is giving trade unionists an opportunity to make the case for extending safety reps’ rights and powers.

Issued last month, the consultative document Improving worker involvement – improving health and safety (CD207) seeks views “on how to encourage, improve and increase worker involvement in health and safety risk management”.

The document asks whether employers should be required to consult safety reps on the overall mechanism of risk assessment, and to respond to representations from reps. Respondents are also invited to put the case for other rights.

With the consultation open until 8 September, the HSE is planning a series of roadshows around the country over the coming months. The TUC is also to produce a briefing over the next couple of months.

While welcoming the consultation, TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson has warned that it does not go far enough. “The TUC will be calling for roving safety reps and the right to issue legally binding improvement notices,” he said.

Robertson is also concerned at a reliance on voluntary standards, referred to in the consultative document. “While we would welcome stronger guidance, only legal changes – with proper enforcement – will have any real effect,” he added.

Other demands to be included in union responses to the consultation include proper enforcement of the existing regulations, and the right to stop dangerous work.

The consultation documents, plus details of the roadshows, are available at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd207.htm