Blog: Your safety is paramount as we start to return to workplaces

If COVID-19 has done anything, it’s reminded us all of the vital importance of workplace health and safety. Something, of course, we’ve always known at UNISON. As lockdown restrictions continue to be eased across all four nations – thanks in no small measure to the success of our NHS vaccination program – many of us over the coming weeks or months will be returning to the workplace for the first time in quite some time. Of course many of you have continued to go into your workplaces to keep public services going during the pandemic, or have been out working in the community providing essential support to people who need it. You will know – only too well – how important health and safety issues have become. But for many, this further step on the journey to our old way of working will be a welcome opportunity to catch up with colleagues, return to some normality – or just get out of the house! However this will also be accompanied by some anxiety and stress. After so long away from your workplace that’s only natural. We believe that the key to keeping you safe is for employers to carry out comprehensive risk assessments. This involves employers identifying all those things that may be a risk to your health and safety, and making sure everything is done to keep you and the friends and colleagues you work with safe. This includes not only COVID-19 but, of course, all the other hazards that we’re all too familiar with, such as stress, bullying, violence in the wo...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog Be on the safe side Christina McAnea health and safety reps Source Type: news