ANNOUNCEMENT!! H&S Reps 1 Training in Edinburgh
18-20 February 2025
In person, Edinburgh
We’d like to invite members to sign up for a general H&S Reps 1 training that UCU Scotland has set up for us here in Edinburgh. It's very rare that we get an opportunity like this, and right on our own doorstep!
The training is over 3 days: 18-20 February, in Edinburgh. You can find detailed information and the registration form here:
H&S Reps 1 Registration
A few things to consider:
We're urgently trying to get more people to sign up for the course, as we need a total of 12 for it to run, and we're not quite there yet. It would be very helpful if interested members could register asap. The registration deadline is 12:00, 14 February, but we need to get some more solid numbers by next week.
The course is the first part of UCU's health and safety training programme, geared toward full H&S reps. You are welcome to take it in that capacity, but we are especially looking to create a team of trained Workload Reps for the Workload Campaign. This means that, as a WL Rep, you would only be dealing with H&S issues pertaining to work-related stress.
The course will cover:
the role and functions of a safety rep
how to obtain facilities and time off to carry out the safety rep's function
using the safety reps and safety committee regulations
employers' duties under health and safety legislation
a trade union and equal opportunities approach to health and safety
how to organise UCU members around hazards at work - including the Covid-19 pandemic
develop essential safety rep skills there's a ton of great info about the law, etc., but if you become a WL rep you would only be involved with work-related stress issues that we identify as part of the WL campaign.
You do need to clear this with your line managers. By law, workers are entitled to paid time off for union training.
For the form, yes you do have branch support for registering.
Please contact ucue-secretary@ed.ac.uk for any questions or additional help in filling out the form (e.g. your role in the branch).
We hope you'll be able to sign up for the training as we think you'll find it very valuable. If you then choose to become a WL Rep, it will certainly give you more clout!
Image of course information for Health and Safety Reps 1 from UCU website
