United Kingdom: Trades Union Congress demands risk assessment at every company before return to work

With the UK set to be under lockdown until 7 May at the very least, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has begun to voice concern about the easing of the lockdown and is calling on the government to demand every employer to reduce the health risks to their employees, or be liable to penalties. “Too many workers have been forced to put their health on the line during this pandemic,” says Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC. According to a study published by the trade union organisation on 27 April, 41% of UK workers say that they are somewhat or very worried about returning to work outside the home. Given this finding, the TUC is recommending that employers be required to carry out a specific Covid-19 risk assessment, developed in consultation with unions and workers. Health and safety measures, such as masks and social distancing, will have to be approved by a trade union delegate in charge of health and safety or a workplace inspector. If an employer fails to meet such obligations, they would be sanctioned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), while employees would have the right not to go to work if the necessary conditions are not in place. In its report, the trade union confederation also calls on the government to launch a campaign making safety at work a priority. Finally, the TUC would like unions to be consulted when the executive prepares its sectoral recommendations for the return to work and when employers implement them.