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European Health and Safety Week in BT
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BT's main theme for Health and Safety week 2005 is 'slips, trips and falls', which make up over 50% of
accidents each year. As part of this initiative, all BT people have the opportunity to take part in a new
Health and Safety slips, trips and falls game (at www.vfrm.net/btstf) which will go live on 24th October 2005.
Participation takes about 15-20 minutes, and there are opportunities to win some prizes.
Slips Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of major injuries in almost all workplaces in the UK,
with 95% of major slips resulting in broken bones. They are also the initial causes for a range of other
accident types such as falls from height.
BT says they are focussing on Slips, trips and falls because:
“Last year, over 50% of all reported accidents in BT were caused by a slip, trip or fall. Comparing that figure to the national average of 34%, it's
clear why BT is so concerned. The human costs of slip, trip and fall accidents are usually easy to see. Not always so apparent is the price that
BT pays, both as an organisation and as an employer. Treatment and absence costs currently stand at several millions of pounds per year and
with 90 per cent of major accidents resulting in a broken bone, BT engineers, drivers, management and general office staff also face the problem
of long-term, painful, absences from work.”
Report a Fault
Also, BT are running a poster campaign to get people to report faults by calling 0800 223388. Posters are being
sent to BT Buildings and BT is putting these up in prominent sites. Copies of these posters can be downloaded
from the CWU Web Site. http://www.cwu.org/uploads/documents/Euro_HS_week05.pdf
Furthermore BT Property has introduced an improved reporting mechanism for all BT people who witness
poor or unsafe working practices by contractors and others in BT buildings. Report them on 0800 223388.
Noise in BT
Members who work in Contact Centres and offices have been suffering from Acoustic Shocks. Many members now use Acoustic Shock Suppressors that have been fitted by BT and we ask USRs to talk to members on National Inspection Day and report back any concerns. Members who work in other noisy environments should also be asked for their concerns and all problems raised following the inspection. The Wednesday of European Health and Safety Week, 26th October, has been designated "National Inspection Day" when all safety representatives are asked to inspect their workplace. The TUC has produced a simple guide to inspections that includes forms, adapted from the HSE recommended forms, and a checklist. In addition there is a poster that safety representatives can put up in their workplace in the run-up to National Inspection Day. All these can be printed off. All the TUC documents for National Inspection Day can be accessed from this site. http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-10433-f0.cfm
The CWU have also published advice in Letter to Branches 476/05 - European Health and Safety Week - National Inspection Day available at the members section of the CWU main website on: http://www.cwu.org/ The TUC also have a useful European Health and Safety Week web site for information at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=297
Another initiative is the HSE “Watch Your Step” campaign, focusing on slips and trips at work. http://www.hse.gov.uk/watchyourstep/index.htm
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