HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2021 :: RMTnews 16 This year’s RMT annual health and safety conference was held remotely through a zoom meeting and issues discussed included the role of safety representatives in the COVID pandemic and the effect of the lockdowns on the mental health and wellbeing of members. Willie Strang, Edinburgh and Portobello, warned that the union must not fall into any traps that could well be hidden within the makeup of the Rail Industry Recovery Group (RIRG) that was set up recently. “The loss of any work as a result of policy decisions by the RIRG will impact greatly on mental health and we cannot allow this to happen and we must protect jobs. This will not be an easy task given the make-up of the group being heavily weighted towards employers,” he said. Delegates called on the union to conduct a survey of all employers to establish what measures they have in place to protect the mental health and well being of members. This should be combined with a survey of membership to see what knowledge was out there of these procedures and how effective they may be for members. Darren Pilling, Liverpool No. 5 warned that depression was widespread in the maritime sector. “Working hours can be as bad as a 14 hour split shift with the law offering little protection as you could legally be asked to have a four or six hour break in any contributing 24-hour period. “Ships can be a lonely place and individuals can feel isolated without friends and family. Quite often the combination of being away, fatigue and mental health issues can be enveloping and debilitating. On vessels and installations, it is difficult to rest due to work and home often being the same place,” he said. He also warned that HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK RMT’s annual health and safety conference discussed mental health, diving safety and the environment during the Covid