Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 3:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTFOR WORKER HS&E REPRESENTATIVESInvolving ourmembersOrganising our members around health, safety and the environment canhelp to build a strong union. Members have a deep concern about thehealth of themselves, their fellow workers and people in the widercommunity. But often health, safety and environmental hazards may nothave been a priority for action. Workers may have other major concerns,such as a living wage and having enough food to eat. Others may accepthazards as part of the job; be unaware of the hidden hazards andconsequent risks; feel that job security takes precedence; or are notconfident that their union will effectively tackle the risks.We need to build on the interest of our members where it does exist, andawaken interest where it does not. With an informed, interested andinvolved membership, the union can be an effective vehicle for protectingtheir health, safety and welfare. It is essential that we involve our membersfrom the beginning in identifying hazards at work.Groups will have discussed a number of ways that we try to ensure weinvolve our members and obtain their support. Look at the checklist belowand add any other ideas that your group had.Checklist Use notice boards and newsletters to keep your members informed Use local initiatives like dance, drama and song Pass on health, safety and environmental information that you receive from yourunion and the IUF Involve members in identifying hazards through your workplace HS&E checks Use body mapping (see below) to identify ill health that members and workersare experiencing Use hazard mapping (see below) to identify hazards that might be causing illhealth to your members Use “Your World” mapping (see below) to identify the effects of work upon yourmembers’ lives outside work Decide on priorities to tackle and strategies in consultation with members Take the time to talk to members, particularly if they are not convinced aboutthe trade union approach to HS&E Hold regular meetings with members to keep them informed Make sure that members know what you have done about health, safety andenvironmental problems, and what the employer’s response is Always report back after meetings, and decide on the next steps with yourmembers79 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers