HEATH AND SAFETY CHARTER

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: june 2022 :: RMTnews 26 RMT has launched a new health and safety charter to explain how such reps are an integral link to the union, how to get training and support and how to make claims on behalf of members. Introducing the pamphlet RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that safety reps were unique amongst trade union reps in having a legislative framework to support them. “This was achieved after decades of trade union struggles and these rights afforded to safety reps make you a very important person in the workplace. “You are not alone as a RMT safety rep; we currently have over 1,500 safety reps representing 80,000 members across the industries within which we organise. “RMT aims to have a safety rep in each grade in every workplace, so that members have access to their safety rep when then need to discuss a H&S matter – and so that these reps can help raise the profile of RMT in their workplace,” he said. RMT will continue to develop arrangements for safety reps to ensure they have the knowledge and support needed to carry out their role and the charter explains the role of health and safety reps, how to progress safety issues within RMT, the training and support RMT give to safety reps and how to support members submitting accident claims. The charter sits alongside the RMT Health and Safety Representatives Handbook (https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/ publications/health-and-safety- handbook) in which you can find detailed information on safety legislation including that which lays out the rights of safety reps. The union sends a welcome pack to all newly appointed reps, which includes the RMT H&S Handbook, the RMT Safety Reps Charter, the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations and their safety rep accreditation ID card It also gives advice, information and support is available to safety reps on a local level initially via your branch, on a regional level via your regional office and regional organisers. There are also dedicated Health & Safety pages on the RMT website. RMT can also access information for safety reps, where appropriate by contacting inspectors from the regulatory authorities. Safety reps are entitled to paid time away from work to take part in any training as is ‘reasonable’. RMT expects safety reps to undergo as much training as they feel they require and recommend all reps start with RMT Health and Safety Reps Stage I and II. Details of RMT courses can be obtained from the membership section of the RMT web site. RMT supplements this education programme with a number of specialised health and safety courses designed by the union with regard to the scope of our membership and the industries in which we organise. RMT offers full legal support to safety reps whose management deny them their rights to health and safety training. Ultimately, RMT safety reps make a big difference in the workplace to ensure that RMT members return home safely at the end of their working day, but this can be even better achieved by having a well organised trade union network of safety reps with the support of the national union. HEATH AND SAFETY CHARTER Union launches health and safety charter to go to every rep to help them protect members at work CHARTER: Health and safety officer Sarah Friday, Alex Gordon , Ann Joss, health and safety advisory committee chair and Health and safety officer Jonathan Havard