UNISON urges employers to review staff safety due to new COVID variant

UNISON is urging employers to review their workplace risk assessments and safety measures in light of the increase in the more infectious variant of COVID-19. This is in order to keep staff safe. The union has written to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to underline the increased risks to staff, urging the body to update their advice. Improved safety measures would include working from home, change to duties to less hazardous duties Disabled, Black and other vulnerable workers with underlying health conditions who are still in the workplace could be at particular risk of the new variant. In the letter to the HSE, assistant general secretary Christina McAnea says: “Despite some of the measures recently announced by the government, it remains the case that many of our members working in key public services will be required to attend their workplaces and work with clients, potentially putting themselves at risk of infection. “I am sure you will appreciate this has led to growing and understandable anxiety among our members, regarding their own safety and that of their friends, family and the public they serve. “This is particularly the case among disabled, Black, older, and those workers with underlying health conditions, who are at greatest risk of dying from the disease or having serious life changing outcomes. “It is essential that these workers know that everything that is reasonably practicable is being done to keep them safe. Employers should b...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article Covid-19 health and safety Source Type: news