Calling all H & S reps on delivery's...what do you do?

[GHOSTman]

Just thought I'd introduce myself as a new H & S rep for delivery's. I must admit I'm struggling to establish exactly what i should be doing. I'm doing the college courses and have loads of issues i'd like to tackle (obviously..being on deliverys!). Problem is....when I mention anything to my area rep they tend to fob me off with excuses as to why we can't tackle a particular issue... i'm finding this very frustrating. makes me wonder why i'm in the role if i can't stick up for my members

I'd really appreciate some advice from fellow reps as to how you go about the role, do you have to clear everything with area rep before trying to implement anything?

From college It has confirmed all the ways the union is going wrong...eg..not communicating with members, going off pursuing their own issues, not fighting for what is actually important to us...the members they represent.

I have put a few ideas to my area rep but it feels like i am wasting my time, anyone else had this? Any advice, tips or comments welcomed.

[Cut Off King]

Give up now, while you still have your sanity

[POSTMAN]

What kind of issues are you having,perhaps if we know then maybe we could help.

I was pondering about being a H&S rep as they were doing a thing about it in our branch.
But i saw so many issues that would involve pulling up Blue shirts that i thought feck that,i'd be labelled a manager.

[weirdo]

H&S is a can off worms.

what ever you do, and what you do is for THE GREATER GOOD, the greater good, you will rattle peoples cages Eg: bag weights, Correct PPE, stop people comming in early and meal reliefs, to name but a few.

Now you have just upset at least 4 people, and the more you do the more resentment you will get, because you are interfering in other peoples business, like, who are YOU to tell me jack?

But as i say, your remit is H&S, and what you are doing is for the GREATER GOOD, the greater good!

You will get mugged off by your rep, because He/She doesn't want to open that can of worms.

I say OPEN it, and good luck.

[brothermagrew]

GHOSTman your starter for 10.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/SafetyRep_1b.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/involvement/hsrepresentatives.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.hazards.org/safetyreps/training.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bfawu.org/cms/session/upload ... harter.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.dennismac.co.uk/hands/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ronpetetrevchris]

Just thought I'd introduce myself as a new H & S rep for delivery's. I must admit I'm struggling to establish exactly what i should be doing. I'm doing the college courses and have loads of issues i'd like to tackle (obviously..being on deliverys!). Problem is....when I mention anything to my area rep they tend to fob me off.

I have put a few ideas to my area rep but it feels like i am wasting my time, anyone else had this? Any advice, tips or comments welcomed.

Done a little H+S but mostly IR, it was for me a sad realisation that there are certain Higher up reps that have a good life, and are very very pally with their RM counterparts. If i were them, id find the thought of going back on to delievries very very scary indeed - i know if i had spent the last two decades in a warm office with hot cofee, laptops, tv and doing "lunches" i might feel a little compromised and may have to question whther i could do my job effectively with so much too lose!

My advice - if they dont want to play ball, fight and expose them as well!!!!!

[Ahebban]

Many H&S issues attached to a delivery office are common to all delivery offices as suggested above. The bottom line as USR is that you are there to advise your Line Manager/DOM/colleagues of RM/CWU policy and Law governing H&S. Your DOM has ultimate responsibility for the health and safety of all persons working at the DO and it is at him you should direct H&S issues. This can be done through monthly H&S meetings with your DOM or on more urgenty issues approach him directly at any time. If you get no joy with him then you can push the matter up to the ASR who should then take the matter up with his opposite number at RM. In the unlikely event your ASR is not pro-active then approach the Area Manager and/or Divisional Rep and voice your H&S concerns to them.

Being a H&S Rep is a thankless task, moreso than being an IR Rep in my opinion. Colleagues will resent what they see as your interference in their way or working and Line Managers/DOMs will side with your colleagues as they don't want to rock the boat either! If you need thick skin to be an IR Rep it has to be very much thicker as a H&S Rep!

Progress will be slow and frustrating - nothing will happen overnight that is for sure (if only because it is RM we work for) and it will be down to your hard work and determination to succeed that will ultimately earn the respect of colleagues and others. Even then that is not guaranteed!

Management will talk the talk when it comes to H&S, but you can be assured that if there is the remotest possibity of reporting a USO failure because of H&S issues, you already know which side RM will come down on.

Good luck in your endeavours

[beazer]

I found if it looks like you are trying to work with managers they don't try fob you off. It does help if it appears that you know more that them (which is not that hard) if you need any of the guides for the tools managers used P.M. me and I will send them to you.
As for the courses try and get yourself to Alescott as you learn a lot more talking to other reps. Check the courses at http://www.cwueducation.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good Luck

[beanmuncha]

Thanks Ghostman and the rest of you, i'm a new H&S rep also and learning as i go, thanks for the help.