TUC says safety reps are not getting the training they need

Less than half of safety reps are completing the TUC health and safety training they are entitled to, according to a new TUC report.

Training and action in health and safety found that, following completion of the TUC Stage I course, only 40% of safety reps went on to complete Stage II, despite an Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling that safety reps have a legal entitlement to paid time off to complete Stage II.

TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Safety reps make a major contribution to health and safety standards at work. Too many employers are putting their workers' health and their business reputation at risk because they aren't letting safety reps have the time to get the training they need."

The TUC is launching a campaign at this year's Congress in September to ensure more safety reps take up their right to training. The Health and Safety Executive is also being pressed to ensure employers fulfil their legal obligation to provide paid release and to publicise safety reps' rights to training with pay.

* The core TUC health and safety training courses - known as Stage I and Stage II - provide safety reps with 20 days of training. Courses are accredited through the National Open College Network and can be supplemented with a TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Training and action in health and safety is available from TUC Publications, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS, price £5. Tel: 020 7636 4030, fax: 020 7636 0632, website: www.tuc.org.uk