Health and Safety at work
Given the ongoing cuts in City and Hackney Unison have been receiving scores of complaints due to the reduction of numbers to 2.5 per ward on a night shift and 3.5 on weekends. At night time (when we already have below minimum resources) the rapid response team is 3 members short as a result 
The Union has always opposed such dangerous measures.
When a staff takes a break it leaves the ward with only 1.5 people to “manage”  which at least 20 patients (many times more than that as patients now sleep in flexi beds and improvised bedrooms)
 This is a good time to remind ourselves about our H&S rights and employer’s responsibilities
Your rights and responsibilities All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for this is down to employers.
As a worker, you have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions
If you have specific queries on health and safety in your workplace, approach your safety representative or trade union representative. Below is a summary of employer’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety Act 1974
All employers, whatever the size of the business, must:

·           make the workplace safe
·           prevent risks to health
·           ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use, and that safe working practices are set up and followed

·           make sure that all materials are handled, stored and used safely
·           provide adequate first aid facilities
·           tell you about any potential hazards from the work you do, chemicals and other substances used by the firm, and give you information, instructions, training and supervision as needed
·           set up emergency plans
·           make sure that ventilation, temperature, lighting, and toilet, washing and rest facilities all meet health, safety and welfare requirements
·           check that the right work equipment is provided and is properly used and regularly maintained
·           prevent or control exposure to substances that may damage your health
·           take precautions against the risks caused by flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
·           avoid potentially dangerous work involving manual handling and if it can't be avoided, take precautions to reduce the risk of injury
·           provide health supervision as needed
·           provide protective clothing or equipment free of charge if risks can't be removed or adequately controlled by any other means
·           ensure that the right warning signs are provided and looked after
·           report certain accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority, depending on the type of business 

Yonatan Mosquera Restrepo
UNISON H&S Officer
 

Night shifts More and more people are expected to work nights, but how do you adjust your body clock to the new routine and are there health risks involved?

Around 17% of all employees in the UK (about 4.1 million) work shifts, and while this is to be expected in industries such as the medical profession and security, our move into a 24 hour world has snowballed the number of professions that expect their employees to work nights.

What are the risks? There may be more money in shift work but there are also risks. One study conducted last year showed that working night shifts makes you three times as likely to suffer from heart disease. Another study from 2000 revealed that a lack of sleep causes as many car accidents as too much alcohol with 45,000 Brits either seriously injured or killed as a result of driver tiredness.

Poor sleeping habits have also been linked to mental health problems, cancer, common colds, depression, diabetes, obesity and strokes.

Why the sleep problems: As we are not naturally designed to work nights shift work will mess with your sleep patterns. However, with a little forward planning you'll adjust in no time.

On average, your body needs approximately 5 - 9 hours sleep every 24 hours. Doctors recommend 8 hours. It doesn't matter whether you hit the sack during the day or night. What counts is that you establish a routine. This means going to bed at the same time, and waking up at a set time too. The waking at the same time is more important. Get a pattern going, and your body clock will soon be setting itself.

To guarantee the shut-eye you so desperately need:

• Avoid eating too much before you head for bed.
• Steer clear of stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
• Allow yourself wind down time between getting home and going to sleep.
• If you're kipping during daylight hours, and don't want to be awoken by the sun glaring through the glass, try hanging drapes or black out curtains over the windows.
• Also make sure your bed itself is properly supported. A firm level mattress is essential, so stick a sheet of plywood underneath if necessary.
• Don't use over-the-counter sleeping pills for more than 2 weeks as you can become dependent; consult your GP.
• Use your bedroom for sleeping and sex only: that means no TV, no computer, no work.

To stay awake on your shift:

• Twilight is the hardest time to stay awake. At around 2 or 3 am make sure you have enough stimulating work to do. Keep busy.
• Don't get too comfortable or too warm.
• Use fresh air/ a short walk rather than stimulants to keep yourself awake.
• Make sure there is plenty of light in your workplace.
• Try not to go out before your night shift, this will make you more tired, and alcohol will make it even worse.
• Do some exercise before your shift to give you more energy and keep you alert.

 

It was brought to our attention thatparts of the street lighting was not working in Crozier Terrance leading to The Lodge, causing staff to feel very vulnerable when coming to or leaving the site.
UNISON reps contacted the Trusts Estates who immediately contacted LB Hackney Council to get the lights fixed, we will be monitoring the situation.
8.2.10  - Update
The problems have not been addressed, the lights are still not working on Trust premises and in Crozier Terrace, we will be raising the lack of progress via the Forensic LSC and be contacting Hackney Council ourselves to pursue this complaint.

UNISON advice to all its members is to ensure they take up basic and annual update training at every opportunity.
It is in staffs interest to undertake this training which instils skills and confidence to the benefit of staff and service users. There appears to be a significant number of staff who are not maintaining annual updates. This compromises you as an individual in the event of a violent incident and if you are injured and had not taken up training offered by the Trust this could reduce any liability the Trust has.
If you are unable to get on a MAPPA course, discuss it with your line manager and if its not resolved please report it to one of the UNISON stewards and we will act on your behalf.

Thompsons Personal Injury Law Review
The latest edition of Thompsons Personal Injury Law Review publication can be downloaded below.
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www.thompsons.law.co.uk