Safety Training for Unit Safety reps?

[Almighty1]

Hiya all, has anyone been on the workplace safety representatives course and what does it entail? I was hoping it would teach me a little about how to deal with health and safety from a union pint of view. My area safety rep refuses to send me on one, he says he has a budget to stick to. It frustrates me as he's always complaining he has absolutely no unit safety reps under him to help him out. Can anyone shed some light on this for me please?...... By the way, him and the Area H&S manager are best of friends, so when i raise concerns they fall on deaf ears and sweet FA gets done

Cheers

[brothermagrew]

News to me I've never known any area health and safety rep working to budgets. Never ever known them to have worked under financial constraints neither. If you are that bothered about attending a course why not email Dave Joyce the CWU's National Health and Safety Officer with your complaint.

[Ahebban]

Indeed, I have not heard of any Area Rep, Safety or otherwise, having a budget to work too. Political Officers at Branch level may have a seperate pot of money to work with, thereafter they would need to go 'cap in hand' to the Branch to justify extra spending.

Contact your Branch Secretary as it is the Branch Committee that agrees requests for any training. You can source the training programme from Alvescot Lodge (CWU website) about when courses suitable to you are available.

H&S is now covered over 3 weekly courses with a fourth weekly course to gain full recognition.

Don't be put off from applying - being a H&S Rep is hard work, gains little recognition from colleagues and RM alike, but can also be very rewarding when all your hard work brings results to the Unit.

As suggested by Brother Magrew, if RM or your Branch are being obstructive email Dave Joyce with your complaint. He does take H&S seriously!