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28 April / WMD, Blog, Graphics, media


28 APRIL: HAZARDS CAMPAIGN CALL TO ACTION

Blog, Hazards conference, media


HAZARDS CONFERENCE 2023

Blog, Graphics, Hazards conference


HAZARDS CONFERENCE 2022 – IT’S A DEADLY BUSINESS! BUT DECENT WORK IS SAFE AND
HEALTHY

Blog, Hazards conference


HAZARDS CONFERENCE 2021, 31 JULY-1 AUGUST

Blog, media


HAZARDS CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR ZERO-COVID STRATEGY BY ALL THE GOVERNMENTS IN THE UK

Blog, Hazards conference


HAZARDS CONFERENCE 2020 GOES ONLINE: VIRAL ACTION – 1 AUGUST

28 April / WMD, Blog, Graphics, media


28 APRIL: HAZARDS CAMPAIGN CALL TO ACTION

Blog, Hazards conference, media


HAZARDS CONFERENCE 2023

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Action, media


HAZARDS CAMPAIGN ZOOM EVENT – CHALLENGING THE VIOLENCE FACED BY WOMEN AT WORK

22nd February 2024 Jawad Leave a comment

Nearly fifty years after the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 women continue to face
harassment and violence at work. Join the Hazards Campaign event in discussion
with Sarah Woolley (BFAWU General Secretary), Joan McNulty (UNISON National
Health and Safety Chair), Fliss Premru (#MeTU) and Jo Seery (Thompsons
Solicitors) to explore the issues and solutions needed.

Sign up here

Date and time: Thursday, 7 March 2024 18:00 – 19:30 GMT


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FACK STATEMENT ON CORONER’S CONCLUSION OF OFSTED INSPECTION’S CONTRIBUTION TO
SUICIDE

7th December 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

FAMILIES AGAINST CORPORATE KILLERS (FACK) STATEMENT ON INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF
RUTH PERRY HEAD TEACHER OF CAVERSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL CORONER’S CONCLUSION:
SUICIDE CONTRIBUTED TO BY AN OFSTED INSPECTION.

News release – no embargo – 7 December 2023

On behalf of Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK), facilitator Hilda Palmer
said today:

“There must be massive and constructive change from this painful process and
Ruth’s death must be the ‘enough is enough’ moment, no more Ofsted deaths.

“The Coroner made clear that the’ inner workings of Ofsted’ were not in scope
for the Inquest, but teachers reports and evidence heard makes clear it is not
only the conduct of the inspections that causes acute stress but the fear of the
high stakes consequences.  A bad one word judgement can lead to forced
academisation of your school, loss of your job, reputation, career with no
realistic chance to defend yourself or challenge Ofsted errors of fact or
judgement. The weeks of delay between the inspection draft report and
publication of report during which time Heads are not permitted, on threat of
action against them, to speak to anyone outside of a tiny circle, even a mental
health professional, puts intolerable stress on Head Teachers.

“We welcome the conclusions of the Berkshire Chief Coroner, Heidi Connor, based
on a finding of facts that Ruth Pery’s death was suicide contributed to by an
Ofsted inspection in November 2022, and unequivocally linking her deteriorating
state of mind and death to the Ofsted inspection which was at times ‘rude &
intimidating, lacked fairness, respect and sensitivity’.

“Ruth was a remarkable woman and a successful, well respected and much liked
Head Teacher running an outstanding popular school, committed to the good
education safety and welfare of the children.

“She was also much more than this, a much loved and loving wife, mother, sister
and daughter, and a friend to many. She worked hard and achieved great things
and had no history of mental ill health. All that changed within minutes of the
Ofsted Inspection beginning and the loss to her family, friends and Caversham
Primary School children and parents is immensely painful.

“At the inquest, Professor Julia Waters, Ruth’s sister,  bravely and eloquently
painted a beautiful picture of her beloved sister and her rich and happy life,
in words from her parents, her husband and herself and ended with: “We shall
feel her terrible loss for the rest of our lives”.

“We are sorry that the coroner refused a renewed Article 2 application from the
family, which would mean the state have to carry out an ‘enhanced investigation’
into a death as she said she does not have ‘sufficient concern about systems to
protect life’.

And FACK renews its demands that all families have free legal representation
provided for Inquests to ‘ensure equality arms’ when they face employers and
state funded organisations and are able to challenge, to question and get the
answers they need..

“We welcome the Coroner’s Conclusion and her Regulation 28 Preventing Future
Deaths recommendations.to Ofsted and the Local Authority and. her hope that the
Parliamentary Education Committee and Secretary of State will also consider her
findings.

“We believe Ruth’s death and those of other teachers might have been prevented
had concern about the suicides of other teachers related to Ofsted over the
years been taken more seriously, investigated and acted upon preventatively by
the Health and Safety Executive, HSE, Ofsted and Local Authorities when they
happened. And we believe it is also essential that the HSE records, investigates
and acts to prevent all work-related suicides in schools and all workplaces,
something it refuses to do currently.

“After hearing evidence during the Inquest we are even more sceptical that
Ofsted can be reformed. It should be scrapped and replaced by a cooperative,
collaborative and supportive inspection system, which is accountable and
effective in improving schools without destroying the health and lives of
teachers.

“Nothing will bring Ruth back, but knowing that stringent efforts are being
demanded of the organisations which had a role in her death, and of other
related organisations, to prevent the deaths of other teachers in future is an
outcome that Ruth’s family wanted. Julia Waters, Ruth’s sister, has fearlessly
and eloquently exposed the unbearable and unfair stress of Ofsted inspections,
the lack of protection and redress for Head Teachers, given thousands of
teachers a chance to speak out, made their concerns a subject of public debate
and investigation ever since Ruth’s death. We thank Julia and her family for all
they have done to stop Ofsted deaths.

“FACK, Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, Hazards Campaign and Hazards Magazine
pledge ourselves to continue the campaign to make all work suicides reportable,
investigated and preventive action taken. No one should be driven to deaths of
despair by work.”

For more information contact Hilda Palmer 079298 00240 hilda@gmhazards.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Papers and articles relating to Work-Suicide and the problem of the HSE refusing
to record or investigate the causes and prevent them.

• Professor Sarah Waters, Hilda Palmer Work Suicides are uncounted:
https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages/news/article/1866/work-related-suicides-are-uncounted

• Waters and McKee, BMJ, Ofsted and case of official negligence?
https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/381/bmj.p1147.full.pdf

• Waters and Palmer, Journal of Public Health Dying at work. Work-related
suicide – how does the UK regulatory context measure up?
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JPMH-09-2021-0114/full/html

• Our postcard campaign to the HSE over many years saw thousands of postcards
delivered by mail to the CEO and now is an ecard campaign:
https://www.hazards.org/hsesuicide/ • Rory O’Neill Hazards Latest article :
https://www.hazards.org/suicide/wedespair.htm • Earlier articles:
https://www.hazards.org/suicide/suicidalwork.htm •
https://www.hazards.org/suicide/pressuregrows

Founder Members of FACK:

Dawn and Paul Adams – son Samuel Adams aged 6 killed at Trafford Centre, 10th
October 1998

Linzi Herbertson -husband Andrew Herbertson 29, killed at work in Oldham,
January 1998

Mike and Lynne Hutin – son Andrew Hutin 20, killed at work at Corus, Port Talbot
on 8th Nov 2001

Mick & Bet Murphy – son Lewis Murphy 18, killed at work in Brighton on 21st
February 2004

Louise Taggart – brother Michael Adamson 26, killed at work ion Aberdeen, on 4th
August 2005

Linda Whelan – son Craig Whelan 23, (and Paul Wakefield) killed at work in
Bolton on 23rd May 2002

Dorothy & Douglas Wright – son Mark Wright 37, killed at work in Deeside on 13th
April 2005


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ZOOM DISCUSSION: ORGANISING 101 – DAVE SMITH ON CAMPAIGNING

28th November 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

Thursday, 30 November, 2023, 18.00 – 19.30
Register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsfu2rqTwiGNwGMcS6tNP7jyfWpU5KancR

Join us at this brilliant, lively and entertaining event, in discussion with the
dynamic and inspiring Dave Smith and organised by the Hazards Campaign. Dave is
a blacklisted campaigner, a trade union educator and has been a health and
safety advocate for decades. He speaks with enthusiasm and from years of
relevant experience.

It will be a unique opportunity to hear about his Organising 101 campaigning and
organising  tips column in Hazards Magazine and to join him in discussion.

For more information, please contact Janet Newsham –  janet@gmhazards.org.uk

Thursday, 30th November, 2023, 18.00 – 19.30pm
Register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsfu2rqTwiGNwGMcS6tNP7jyfWpU5KancR


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Action, Blog


TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT SACKED EIS SAFETY REP!

2nd August 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

Please take solidarity action to support Kevin Scally, sacked EIS safety rep at
Edinburgh College.

Solidarity  from the Troublemakers Striking for Safety fringe meeting, 29/30
July 2023

The victimisation of our Edinburgh College EIS branch official and safety rep
Kevin Scally is a matter of principle and social justice. We’ve taken four days’
strike action so far.  And we’ll carry on striking four days a week indefinitely
till we win Kevin’s reinstatement. To encourage our management to do the right
thing, could you send a message of protest to the Principal and Chair of the
College Board- (Audrey.Cumberford@edinburghcollege.ac.uk; ) and
(Nora.Senior@edinburghcollege.ac.uk; copying in the EIS-FELA branch
secretary, pennygower1@gmail.com;).  

If you have any questions or want to invite Kev and Penny to speak at your
branch, please write to Penny. 

So, something along the lines of the following would be great, or anything you
want to send….

> ‘Dear Ms Cumberford and Ms Senior,
> 
> I am writing on behalf of my trade union branch and wish to express our
> concern at the treatment of EIS Branch Official and Safety Rep, Kevin Scally. 
> 
> Edinburgh College has already reached your target of £6m savings through
> voluntary severance. Kevin is an experienced lecturer who can deliver courses
> the College needs to be covered and he is the only employee to be made
> redundant. So we can only assume Mr Scally’s sacking as due to the fact that
> he is a trade union representative. 
> 
> Shockingly, you refuse to even meet with the union representatives under the
> College’s Avoidance of Disputes’ Procedure. You also refused to hear the EIS
> branch grievance against this compulsory redundancy.  Yet trade
> union recognition is a fundamental right. 
> 
> The stress this has caused Kevin and his family can only be imagined. Your
> behaviour as managers of a public service charged with delivering education to
> working class adults has been appalling. 
> 
> We urge that you reinstate Kevin immediately. 
> Regards 
> …………………. 
> NAME OF TRADE UNION/ WORKPLACE’




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HAZARDS CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON THE SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION OF RISKS
ENEWSLETTER BY TUC

28th June 2023 Jawad 2 Comments

News release, 28th June 2023, No embargo

On Friday 23rd June a report was made to the Hazards Campaign meeting, that the
enewsletter  RISKS has been cancelled by the TUC with immediate effect.

We are shocked and very alarmed at this decision, because for many safety reps
(especially from smaller trade unions with no dedicated health and safety
department), this was their main weekly source of health and safety information.

RISKS provided regular and up to date health and safety information from
workers’ perspective from around the health and safety movement in the UK, as
well as from global health and safety unions and organisations.

RISKS provided information and analysis on what the government, the TUC, trade
unions and other relevant organisations are doing, campaigns, workplace
victories on health and safety and on going struggles, relevant scientific and
technical information on all aspects of health, safety, environment and Just
Transition, in a readable format from trusted source as it was edited by Rory O’
Neill editor of Hazards Magazine.

RISKS has been invaluable for thousands of safety reps and union health and
safety officers, for many years. It helped to create and network the community
of safety reps, and health and safety activists across the UK in all unions,
types of workplaces and sectors.

> The sudden end of RISKS is a huge loss for us all.

In the absence of the TUC reconsidering this regressive decision, we urge all
trade unions and progressive organisations, to now put every effort in to
maximising and increasing the support for the Hazards Magazine.

Hazards Magazine is the most treasured and valuable health and safety
publication in the Hazards and health and safety movement. Hazards articles
feature in almost all TUC and union health and safety courses, it is the first
place to go for research for many of us,  and it is  much envied across the
world’s labour movements which don’t have an equivalent or have long since lost
their own print publications.

So we ask you now to recommit to support and grow support for Hazards Magazine
to ensure its future as a print plus online publication by subscribing and
encouraging others to subscribe.

Contact Jawad Qasrawi  Sub Editor  sub@hazards.org
Hazards Magazine: www.hazards.org/subscribe

Thank you

Janet Newsham, Chair of Hazards Campaign

info@hazardscampaign.org.uk

janet@gmhazards.org.uk


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28 April / WMD, Blog, media


HAZARDS CAMPAIGN REVEALS THE TRAGIC PRICE OF WORK HAZARDS

27th April 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

Press Release for International Workers Memorial Day to remember people killed
by work

For immediate release

On International Workers Memorial Day, Friday 28th April,  workers globally will
hold workplace and community events to remember work colleagues, who have died
because of their work.  Every year the Hazards Campaign produce ‘The Whole
Story’ (1) which is an analysis of the occupational injuries, illness and deaths
statistics.

In the last 12 months alone, it is estimated by the Hazards Campaign, that more
than 53,000 people died because of work and this number doesn’t include the
hundreds of workers who have died because of Covid infections they contracted in
the workplace, because there is no obligation for employers to report them to
the enforcement agency, or for them to be investigated or employers to be
prosecuted.(1) and they not recorded.

The Hazards Campaign includes an estimate of the number of workers who have died
from work-related suicide, which is estimated to be as high as 10% of all
suicides. (2)  Again, the employer is under no legal duty to report, or
investigate these deaths and this estimate is based on numbers recorded in other
countries where suicides are reportable.  The Hazards Campaign believes there is
a moral obligation to do this, and are campaigning for there to be a legal
obligation for work-related suicides to be reportable, investigated and
employers prosecuted if they are negligent.(3)

UK Hazards Campaign spokesperson Janet Newsham, said it’s shocking that
worldwide, work kills a minimum of 2.9 million people every year.

She said: “Last year safe and healthy work was adopted as a fundamental right by
the ILO.  This means that occupational health and safety must be central to all
work.  This should also mean that our Government, employers and enforcement
authorities must double their efforts to eradicate unsafe and unhealthy work
activities.  It should be no longer acceptable that work drives people to take
their own life, or that workers are subjected to air pollution and other
airborne viruses, toxic chemicals and hazardous substances, that will eventually
kill them. It should mean that these are not an optional extra but are
fundamental to safe and healthy work.’

‘No-one should lose their life for just going out to work to earn a living. Too
many people die because of their work activities.  On International Workers
Memorial Day we will remember all those who have died because of work, we will
wear purple ribbons in their memory, we will tell their stories(2), and try to
hold those responsible for their deaths are held to account.  We don’t want to
hear about lessons learnt, that means that someone else has died.  We need all
work to be safe and healthy, preventing deaths, diseases and injuries and on
April 28th we will ‘Remember the dead and Fight for the Living!’’

Note to editors:

More details on the theme can be found here:

 1. The whole story: https://sway.office.com/0SEVenHS9yTFFJqs?ref=Link
 2. Families against corporate killers 2023 statement:
    https://www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/blog/uk-fack-statement-international-workers-memorial-day-28-april-2023
 3. Suicide:
    * Sarah Waters/Hilda Palmer Report Work-related suicides are uncounted |
      School of Languages, Cultures and Societies | University of Leeds 
      https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages/news/article/1866/work-related-suicides-are-uncounted
    * Ofsted inspection https://www.hazards.org/suicide/failed.htm
 4. Further information:
    * https://www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/
    * https://gmhazards.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/International-Workers-Memorial-Day-general-circular-2023.pdf
    * http://28april.org/

For more details please contact Janet Newsham on 07734 317158.


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#iwmd23
28 April / WMD, Blog, media


UK: FACK STATEMENT – INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY 28 APRIL 2023

24th April 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

FACK Statement

International Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2023



 

We FACK families are eternally grateful to each and every person who has come
together today to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.  A day when we
remember all of those bereaved by work. And renew our commitment to fighting
like hell for the living.

Because, just what is it to be bereaved by work…?

It’s to start a day like any other. And end it like no other. To not have known
that was your last goodbye. To be left to rue the denial of so many tomorrows
and still feel the ripple effects decades on.

It’s to be let down, time and again.  By the employer who had a moral duty and a
legal responsibility to look after our family member, and failed in both
respects in the worst possible way.  By those politicians who erroneously
believe health and safety protections to be burdens on business, and seek to
slash and burn where they should be seeking to safeguard and bolster.  By the
enforcement authorities who seem so often incapable of effecting proactive
preventative inspections.  And by our prosecution bodies, who take far too long
to bring negligent employers to, what passes for, justice.

Because, to be bereaved by work is to be a victim of crime.  But to be made to
feel like a lesser class of victim.  One where you’re not placed at the heart of
the justice process, but left to feel you exist somewhere on the periphery.  To
have to garner the strength time and again to face another battle against a
justice system, which is meant to be on our side, but which all too often serves
to further deepen our trauma.

It’s to question whether you yourself have done enough.  Whether you could have
done more to get answers sooner.  To get action quicker. To ensure changes are
implemented to prevent the heartbreak of other families like your own. But
having to come to terms with the fact this is never within our own power, but
reliant on others.  Others who have let us down.

The loss of our loved one’s life set off a chain reaction of change, where the
lives we thought we were going to lead are no longer possible.  The wedding day
that didn’t happen.  The child who didn’t survive their apprenticeship.  The
future mapped out with your partner of 28 years now a solo challenge, rather
than a team adventure.  The sibling you can no longer call for advice, or look
to for support.

It’s also about facing poverty through the loss of a breadwinner’s income or
losing your own job, house, livelihood, as you grieve for your loved one and are
unable to work to sustain yourself and your family. Compensation is often not
made at all, or is too little, and the benefits system is very harsh and support
very scarce. The effects of a work death can resonate painfully through
generations.

It’s to feel a devastation you never thought possible.  And other times to feel
numb, a nothing-ness, a lack of hope.  When you see another news report of a
death due to a so-called “accident” at work, it’s to not just understand what
that actually means, but to feel it.

What else is it to be bereaved by work….?

It’s to find lifelong friends you will cherish, all the while wishing you had
met in altogether different circumstances.

It’s to find the voice you never knew you had.  The one which, though it may
occasionally tremble, steadies itself to assertively speak truth to power. To
find that strength you never ever expected to need.

And though you are let down at too many turns, you are lifted by the fortitude
and support of others. Like those who work and volunteer in the Hazards
movement, Hazards Centres, and charity Scottish Hazards.  Like the trade
unionists who help ensure their workplaces are safer and healthier. And like
those individual politicians, enforcers, prosecutors and others who do get it,
who do understand what we are going through, and who want desperately to bring
about the changes we need to see.

We need the employers who do care to guide, educate and cajole those who need
woken up to their responsibilities. Laws to be protected. An end to the odious
practice of blacklisting. We need enforcement before the fact.  Lessons to be
learned, communicated and actioned before loss of life occurs. Penalties that
fit the crime. Those bereaved by work to be placed at the heart of the justice
system.  And for no other family to have to walk in our families’ shoes.

So, we will continue to tell our loved ones’ stories. We will continue to lay
bare our reality.

All in the desperate hope and eternal expectation that we’ll be able to prevent
others going through the turmoil of those of us left behind.  Our loved one went
to work to make a better life.  Instead, there was loss of life and lives
forever altered.

We FACKers pledge to you is to continue to live the International Workers’
Memorial Day mantra each and every day, as we forever remember our dead, and do
our damndest to fight like hell for the living.

FACK was established in July 2006, by and for families of people killed by the
gross negligence of business employers, to sit with families in the darkest hour
and help them speak truth to power, see www.fack.org.uk
 https://gmhazards.org.uk/index.php/fack/      Facebook:  Families Against
Corporate Killers

Founder Members of FACK:

Dawn and Paul Adams – son Samuel Adams aged 6 killed at Trafford Centre,10th
October 1998

Linzi Herbertson – husband Andrew Herbertson 29, killed at work on 30th January
1998

Mike and Lynne Hutin – son Andrew Hutin 20, killed at work on 8th Nov 2001

Mick & Bet Murphy – son Lewis Murphy 18, killed at work on 21st February 2004

Louise Adamson – brother Michael Adamson 26, killed at work on 4th August 2005

Linda Whelan – son Craig Whelan 23, (and Paul Wakefield) killed at work on 23rd
May 2004

Dorothy & Douglas Wright – son Mark Wright 37, killed at work on 13th April 2005

For more information and to support FACK, contact Hilda Palmer, Facilitator for
FACK: Tel 0161 792 1044

c/o GM Hazards Centre/Hazards Campaign, Windrush Millennium Centre,

70 Alexandra Road, Manchester M16 7WD Tel 0161 792 1044

mail@gmhazards.org.uk  www.fack.org.uk https://gmhazards.org.uk/index.php/fack/


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28 April / WMD, Blog, Graphics


POSTERS, RIBBONS AND MORE – GET YOUR 28 APRIL CAMPAIGN GEAR!

17th April 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April 2023 – the biggest event on the
trade union safety calendar – is just over a week away. Essential resources,
including 28 April purple ribbons, car stickers and ‘Organise!’ posters, bags,
t-shirts and hi-vis jackets, are available from the national Hazards Campaign.

RESOURCES
Hazards Campaign 28 April #iwmd23 resources

 * Organise! 28 April posters, specify A4 or A3, free plus cost of postage.
 * Purple ribbons, £50/100.
 * Car stickers, single £1, 2-10 50p each, 11-100 30p each.
 * Bags, £5 plus postage.
 * Organise v-neck t-shirts or Hi-viz gilets (sizes S,M, L, XL), £10.

Contact the campaign for discount rates for larger orders. Further details,
email Janet Newsham or phone 07734 317158.

Print off order form.  Return order form to: iwmd23, 177 Watling Street Road,
Fulwood, Preston PR28AE.

Cheques made payable to ‘Greater Manchester Hazards Centre Ltd’.

BACS payments
Account Name Greater Manchester Hazards Centre Ltd
Sort Code 60 83 01
Account Number 20090443
Bank Name and address Unity Trust Bank,  Nine Brindley place, Birmingham B1 2
HB.


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media


THE HSE NEEDS TO BE BOLD, AND AMBITIOUS ON PFAS – HAZARDS CAMPAIGN

6th April 2023 Jawad Leave a comment

Press Release: For immediate release – 5/4/23

The Hazards Campaign welcomes the regulatory management options analysis (RMOA)
report from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl
substances (PFAS) (1), announced on the 4th April, as a step forward from the
unacceptable and alarming situation in the UK.  However, it is predicated on the
pretence that the UK can independently make different decisions than the rest of
EU or even globally and it not matter.

Janet Newsham, Chair UK Hazards Campaign said: ‘We have a global PFAS crisis. 
These ‘forever chemicals’ have seeped into every facet of our environment and
human existence.  They are inhaled and absorbed into our bodies and spread via
our blood and cause serious and irreversible harm to our health.  Furthermore,
they are not restricted by artificial borders, meaning doing something less than
the rest of the EU is futile in the fight to arrest the harm.

If as much money was spent tracking and controlling PFAS use, as is spent on
supporting industries who are responsible for their production, then we would
have known about the dangers long ago.’

The Hazards Campaign’s position is supported by international chemicals policy
experts Sara Brosché and Rory O’Neill, both Bureau members for the UN’s
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).

Dr Sara Brosché, a science adviser with the International Pollutants Elimination
Network (IPEN), said:  “It is welcome to see that the HSE recommendations is
focusing on regulating broader groups of PFAS, which underscores the urgent need
to ban PFAS as a class globally. However, such an effort should rather be based
on the recent EU restriction proposal that would see thousands of perfluorinated
chemicals severely restricted. These toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are linked to
severe health impacts and are already polluting virtually all humans and
environments.”

Queen Mary University of London occupational health prof Rory O’Neill agrees. 
“The recommendations from HSE are welcome but limited. These are not just
‘forever chemicals’, they are a serious risk to human health, linked to
reproductive hazards, cancers and major organ damage. Much more extensive and
serious restrictions are warranted.”

Hazards Campaign, Janet Newsham said ‘The UK has decided to disassociate itself
from EU REACH with scant consideration to the research, investigations and
decisions that are needed on chemical and other toxic substances.  This has
meant we have been left with a second rate decision making process.  One that
excludes transparency and worker representation at its centre.

The EU proposal to restrict PFAS covers more than 10,000 substances.(4)  For UK
workers the HSE RMOA relies on poorly enforced COSHH legislation to protect
workers and an HSE that runs scared of regulation.

There are better ways to regulate and control PFAS and other toxic substances. 
One suggestion would be to remain part of the EU Reach programme, which has
greater resources, trade union and worker scrutiny.  But the political bile of
the Brexit lobby makes that unwelcome and unlikely.

As a result, we are left with little scrutiny or influence on the decisions that
the HSE make, and an HSE under-resourced and lacking in the essential expertise
to make informed decisions, looking for easy solutions that will leave workers
in harms way.
The HSE report plays down the cancer risks, which are taken more seriously in
the equivalent EU report. [European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) REACH dossier for
the universal PFAS restriction on page 30, first para, version 2, 22 March
2023].  (4)

Although the HSE RMOA claims it bases its recommendations on the precautionary
principle (page 9)(1), it fails to take a precautionary approach to “probable”
carcinogens, and there are currently no Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for any
PFAS because the analysis takes the view that there is ‘uncertainty with regard
to human health hazard profiles of the various groups as well as the use in the
workplace.  This seems contradictory to a precautionary approach.’

Whilst we welcome the RMOA, it is clearly too little, toothless and likely to
continue to result in workers, our communities and the environment still exposed
to PFAS and the health consequences will be dire for many of us.

But it wont end there, we will be exposing our children to continued and
increasing exposure to a toxic soup of chemicals: carcinogens, mutagens,
endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive toxic substances.

The HSE needs to be bold, and ambitious, not weak and ineffective!’

Additional resources:

 1. Press release from the HSE, 4 April 2023: Regulator’s report on “forever
    chemicals” published
 2. UK NGOs statement on PFAS, published in May 2022 and signed by 35
    organisations: Case for urgent, group-based, regulation to prevent continued
    PFAS pollution in the UK environment
 3. ECHA publishes PFAS restriction proposal April, 2023
 4. ECHA proposal for restriction

FURTHER INFORMATION:

1.  Hazards Magazine on Chemicals

2.  Eliminating Toxic Substances at Work GMHC website

3.  Hazards Campaign Website

For more information:
Janet Newsham – Chair UK Hazards Campaign
janet@gmhazards.org.uk
07734317158


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Blog, media


IT’S NOT JUST OUR LIBERTIES AT STAKE, BUT OUR LIVES!

11th October 2022 Jawad Leave a comment

Press Release: For immediate release – 7.10.22

Today is the ITUC World Day for Decent Work (1).  Decent work is a hallmark of a
progressive society, but the Governments actions this week show they don’t want
it, wont police it, and thinks workers shouldn’t have the power to defend it.

Workers are facing ever rising, unrelenting workloads, never ending working
hours, with emails and phone calls at all times of the day and night, a
disappearing work/life balance and hundreds of thousands of workers off sick
with mental ill health and long-covid disabilities.

The latest proposed bonfire of employment and health and safety regulations of
everything that originated in the EU and the shackling of trade unions, will
place workers enslaved in low paid, dangerous unhealthy work at the behest of
unscrupulous employers.  At a time when modern slavery is increasing, the 5th
richest nation Government could be adding to it.

None of us voted to die at work, but the policies of this government will mean
an increasing number of us will.  They will die because they cannot afford to
give up work to retire, they will die because of the stress of having to work
multiple jobs to pay their mortgages or energy bills, they will die because
their employer will not have to assess and control the risks to their health and
safety, they will die in their communities from exposure to toxic substances or
unleashed viruses.

This Government are choosing not to value the lives of ordinary working people
and at the same time ‘raiding’ the public purse to reduce the tax burden on the
wealthy, without any scrutiny or electoral mandate.

They are about to plunge us into more despair.  They are coming after our
working conditions, our safety at work and our future health.  And if they
succeed, they will let bad employers determine the number of working hours
people work, whether they will pay for holidays, whether we have maternity leave
or sick pay, the ability to retain contracts when our organisations are
outsourced, to name a few.  There could be no standard for the PPE provided by
employers when we work with hazardous substances, no right to have it provided
free by your employer, no minimum standards of welfare at work.  They will
literally be able to work us to death!  As Rory O’Neill says in the Hazards
Magazine (2) they have ‘plans for a lawless, dangerous and disposable worker UK
plc!

At the heart of decent jobs and decent lives, workers need a health and safety
system with strong laws, strict enforcement and strong, organised, and active
trade unions.

Ref:
(1) www.wddw.org
(2) www.hazards.org

For more information:
Janet Newsham – Chair UK Hazards Campaign
janet@gmhazards.org.uk
07734317158


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 1. Associates of Greater Manchester Hazards Centre explain why International
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    HAZARDS CAMPAIGN 28 APRIL VIDEO
    
    20th April 2017 Jawad Leave a comment


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