CWU: helping Yorkshire get back in business

For some employees returning to the workplace will be something they welcome, for others it may be a time of anxiety. It is important that employers put measures in place to keep employees as safe as possible from the risk of catching and transmitting coronavirus but also that employees ‘feel’ safe to return.

The CWU advises all employees to find out what risk assessments have been done by their employer to facilitate the return.

Mark Elwen, of the CWU, says: “Where there is a trade union in the workplace, Union Safety Representatives (USRs) will be working with employers to ensure proper safety measures are in place for their members. These representatives have certain rights and training in health and safety.

“Full and detailed consultation with the union will be vital to formulating best practice to protect workers. But, where there is no trade union, it may be difficult for employees to know if enough is being done, what they should expect to be done and how to raise concerns.”

The list of things which need to be considered is long but here are just a few of the key ones to be considered:

- Social distancing;

- Clinically vulnerable employees;

- Workplace access;

- Travel to, from and during work;

- Cleaning;

- PPE.

Under each of these headings there will be a large number of other things which will need to be looked at depending on the nature of the work.

Mark added: “Health and safety is extremely important, it should be given top priority and not rushed. It is complex however, and knowledge of how to create accurate risk assessments is vital. My advice to anyone not in a union would be to join one without delay for support and advice.”

Find out more about CWU at https://www.cwu.org/join-us/