Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 3:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR WORKER HS&E REPRESENTATIVESContents of a CBAA collective bargaining agreement on HS&E could include the following: formation of joint safety committees (including their composition) the rights of a worker HS&E representative, including the facilities towhich they are entitled the rights to specified information formation of joint risk assessment teams work stoppage in case of imminent danger consulting Government Labour/Health and Safety Inspectors and unionfull time officers time-off to participate in training and other union functions inspection rights prior agreement on building new workplaces, work changes and theintroduction of new substances and equipment prohibition of banned, highly toxic, or carcinogenic pesticides provision for working women and nursing mothers provision of occupational health services special safety procedures for resolving problemsThe Organisation for African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) has produced aCharter on Health and Safety Rights, which is very helpful for ideas on thepossible contents of CBA’s on health, safety and the environment.Managinghealth, safetyand theenvironmentIntroductionTrade unions should devote attention to the way that management organisethemselves for health, safety and the environment. If we can influencemanagement to improve in this area, it will have a significant impact uponour members and communities.Organisations that manage health and safety and put in effort to improvehealth, safety and environmental performance: prevent and control risks demonstrate a progressive improvement in their injury and ill healthrecordsAlthough there should be tripartite involvement in health, safety and theenvironment, HS&E is ultimately the responsibility of management.Workplace health and safety statistics are appalling. The most commonunderlying cause of work-related injuries and ill health, is managementfailure.116 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers