FIGHTING FATIGUE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2017 :: RMTnews 15 The union has produced a guide focussing on a range of work related and non-work related factors that can lead to fatigue and provides an invaluable resource for our health and safety reps to tackle issues around long working hours’ culture. RMT seeks to tackle issues around long shifts and anti-social hours to effectively and jointly manage the risks from fatigue and asks our representatives to consider the following factors: • Fatigue needs to be managed, like any other hazard and risk. • It is important not to underestimate the risks of fatigue. • The legal duty is on employers to manage risks from fatigue. • Changes to working hours need to be risk assessed with built in notice times for change. • RMT representatives should be consulted on working hours and shift patterns. • Set limits on working hours and overtime, and which guards against fatigue. • A planned and systematic approach to assessing and managing the risks of shift work to improve the health and safety of workers. Fatigue Kills is available from your branch secretary or head office. The updated Serious and Imminent Danger booklet is designed to give RMT members, particularly health and safety reps, a clearer understanding of legislation which deals with dangers at work. For instance the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that employers must have ‘worksafe’ policies. These can be used to great effect to protect members at work. RMT also believes that refusal to work is not industrial action but a legal right for individual workers even if employers attempt to intimidate them. This little pamphlet seeks to clarify the law as much as possible for members particularly health and safety representatives. Copies are available from head office and your branch secretary. FIGHTING FATIGUE Fatigue Kills is a new RMT publication that looks at how long hours limit life KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! RMT updates Serious and Imminent Danger booklet designed to inform members of the law as it relates to danger at work