RCN Safety Representatives’ Committee - Achievements, challenges and opportunities

Robert Moore - Chair of RCN Safety Representatives Committee

Kim Sunley - Senior Employment Relations Adviser, ERD

Contents of session

• Background - how the safety representatives committee fits into RCN structure

• Who we are and what we’ve achieved• Challenges and Opportunities ahead• Set scene for facilitated session

Governance How the decision-making structure works

Council

Membership & Representation Committee

Trade Union Governance Group UK

Representative Committees

Accredited Representatives

Country and Regional Boards

The National Committees What do we do?

Represent the views of RCN representatives on employment; health and safety and lifelong learning and advise and recommend RCN responses to relevant issues

Contribute to the development of RCN policy on employment, health and safety and lifelong learning

Promote the value of representatives

The National Committees What do we do?

Agree programmes for the national conference

Appoint members to sit on other RCN working group, Task & Finish groups etc.

Link back to Board and regional/country reps Submit items to Congress agenda committee

and attend RCN Congress

Membership of each committee

Elected reps from each of the 12 RCN regions/countries, plus additional links

4 year term of office (eligible for 2nd term)

Committee members are also members of their National/Regional Board

Members of safety representatives’ committee

• Robert Moore – Chair (Northern Ireland)

• Paul Hopson - Deputy Chair (Scotland)

• Helen Williams – Wales• Lesley Pallett (South

West)• Karen Barrett (London)• Karen Wood (South East)

• Mitzi Wilson (West Midlands)

• Neil Thompson (East Midlands)

• Cat Forsyth (North West)• Denise McLaughlin

(Northern)• Mairi Gaffney (Public Health

Forum Link).• Vacant – Eastern and Yorks

and Humber

Key achievements:

Lone Working Campaign Sharps injuries – ‘Directive’ Work- Related Violence Toolkit Work-Related Stress guidance Updated Safety Representatives Handbook Congress 2011 Safety Representatives Top Ten Actions

Key challenges ahead:

Recruiting, supporting & keeping safety representatives active

Pressures on facilities time, paid release for carrying out role

Keeping workers’ H&S on the health sector’s agenda

Impact of ‘efficiency savings’ on health and safety of workforce (and patients)

Aftermath Lord Young Report/Lofstedt report

Key challenges ahead:

• HSE cuts – 35% budget cuts• Punitive absence policies• Older nurses/ageing workforce?• Impact of organisational change on health • Fatigue, workload and long working hours• Traditional hazards ‘dermatitis, bariatric

patients and lifting, sharps injuries

Opportunities:

Key message – what’s good for staff good for patients Boorman review - £555 million savings cut absence by a

third – if we invest in staff health, safety and wellbeing Safety representatives make workplaces safer Safety representatives key role – top ten actions New Sharps Directive Making health and safety issues central to negotiating

strategies Working with others

Final word

“HSE support the vital contribution that health and safety representatives and trade unions make to maintaining and improving health and safety in the workplace.”

Questions for you• What are the key health and safety issues affected

members in your workplace now and what do you see as future issues?

• What issues should the RCN’s safety representatives committee be focussing on in the coming 18 months?

• What health and safety information and resources do you need from the RCN to help you negotiate health and safety improvements for members in your workplace?

• How can all three representatives work together to improve outcomes for members?