Two new Health and Safety guides
- Daniel Shears
- Jan 22, 2018
- 2 min read
There are two new guides that have just been published by the National Health and Safety Department. Take a look and please let us know what you think!
First Aid at Work:
This guide is designed to give basic advice on what employers should be providing, by looking at the law around first aid at work, and the importance of risk assessment in deciding the right level of cover. It also details what equipment should be provided in a first aid kit (including travel kits for mobile workers), and gives advice on defibrillators.
There is an explanation of when an employer should provide a designated First Aid Room, and the facilities that this should include as well as covering the training needed for First Aiders at work, and when the provision of Appointed Persons is enough to satisfy the law.
Finally, it explains what records should be kept, and what signage is needed to make clear where equipment and facilities are.
Work and Suicide:
This guide is specifically for members who may have to deal with colleagues who are suicidal. It is primarily aimed at GMB Health and Safety Representatives, but can be used by anyone who is in a position where they are talking to a suicidal person.
The guide is designed to explain how to handle an acute situation where suicide is mentioned. It covers how to talk to someone in this situation, what to do, and who to contact. The crucial thing is to call 999 as soon as possible.
No one expects a GMB member to be an expert or a counsellor – even our well-trained Health and Safety Reps – but the reality is that suicide is on the rise at work and in society, and members have not been able to easily get hold of guidance and advice until now.
We are currently working on new guides on air quality and pollution; drugs and alcohol; asbestos and more. Look out for these later in the year on GMB Active.
