UNITE Health and Safety


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CARRY ON BUILDING INSPECTIONS Reps have a right to carry out building inspections


This April Unite supported the TUC’s Building Safety Inspection Call urging its army of Health and Safety reps to carry out a workplace building inspection as part of a Week of Action.


Workplaces across the country have multiple risks such as RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), asbestos, poor fire safety and ventilation issues safety reps are being encouraged to take a look at possible dangers in their workplace buildings.


In the week leading up to International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD), 29 April, health and safety reps were asked to carry out a building safety inspection.


The inspection campaign had more than 600 reps sign up, with hundreds submitting reports.


Shelly Asquith, health, safety and wellbeing officer with the TUC said, “We had a huge response to our safety reps’ mobilisation for the building safety week of action. “Union activists from across the


public and private sector identified a number of unremedied risks, including asbestos, RAAC and fire hazards; as well as actions to take to the employer. The biggest response came from the retail sector.”


The TUC said many buildings that contain RAAC, including lots of schools and hospitals, are now at risk of collapse and the cladding associated with the Grenfell Tower tragedy is still present on some office blocks, schools, and hospitals.


Across the country Unite has around 10,000 health and safety reps who have been trained and supported by the union to ensure their workplaces are safe, and they have a legal right to carry out inspections.


Unite health and safety officer Rob Miguel said, “Unite provides fantastic training to its Health and Safety reps, and as part of that they are trained to carry out workplace inspections.


“Building Safety Week was a good opportunity to remind employers that Unite reps have a right to carry out


26 unite buildingWORKER Autumn 2024


inspections and talk to members about any concerns they have about the building they work in.


“We have produced a specific reps’ and officers’ briefing on RAAC, including a template letter for reps that can be sent to employers, found on the Unite Health and Safety Guidance page of the union website.”


The Health and Safety Guidance page is a goldmine of resources that is full of risk assessments, posters, policies and guidance for Unite health and safety reps.


All the health and safety reps who submitted inspection reports received accreditation from TUC Education, and the TUC is planning another similar action later in the year.


If you are interested in becoming a Health and Safety rep and helping keep talk to your branch. You can also find out more about the extensive training that Unite gives its reps on the Unite Education website.


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