BECTU response to draft proposals on employee involvement and consultation in health and safety

6 June 2003

I write on behalf of BECTU with a very brief comment on the draft proposals as so far circulated. We completely support the position taken by the TUC on behalf of the trade union movement as a whole. The purpose of this note is simply to give emphasis to our concerns on behalf of atypical workers, since nearly 50% of our members are freelances working in the audiovisual sector.

Our particular points of concern are as follows:

• We seek consultation and involvement rights for atypical workers. The current Safety Representative structure does not adequately cover sections of our membership such as Schedule D self-employed freelances, PAYE freelances and casuals. We would like it to do so, through TU channels.
• Such individuals who often work on a project basis in a variety of studios, locations and temporary premises are at unnecessary risk without adequate measures for safety representation.
• In the light of this, we would specifically welcome the right for all trade unions to appoint employees as Safety Reps who are not employees of the employer (eg in the manner of the current Regulation 8 for Equity and the MU).
• Furthermore, we would welcome the extension of the WSA model into a system of Roving Safety Representatives as an additional means of providing representation for atypical workers in our sector.
• Finally, we would welcome the right for Safety Representatives to issue PINs as an additional means of protection in temporary workplaces and on time limited projects where external inspection may not be feasible within the requisite period.

We hope that you will take note of our comments and we look forward to the further progress of the consultation.