Safety additions to ACAS code of practice

A revised ACAS Code of Practice on Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities came into force on 1 October, with some significant additions for safety reps.

Part 8 on the entitlement to time off has a new section dealing with the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations:

“10. The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 regulation 4(2)(a) requires that employers allow union health and safety representatives paid time, as is necessary, during working hours, to perform their functions.”

Part 13 on the entitlement to training has a section added dealing with training for safety representatives. “22. The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 regulation 4(2)(b) requires that employers allow union health and safety representatives to undergo training in aspects of their functions that is ‘reasonable in all the circumstances’.”

The code also directs readers to the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code and Guidance Consulting workers on health and safety.