Staff confidence in safety steps required
by Bernard Harbor
 
In a letter to DPER, Kevin Callinan said staff had raised a huge level of safety concerns with their unions, which needed to be deeply involved in coronavirus-related safety measures, in the highly unionised public service environment.
In a letter to DPER, Kevin Callinan said staff had raised a huge level of safety concerns with their unions, which needed to be deeply involved in coronavirus-related safety measures, in the highly unionised public service environment.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has agreed that arrangements to ensure workplace protection from the spread of Covid-19 must have the confidence of staff.


The acknowledgement came after Fórsa sought a commitment that unions should be closely involved in the designation of ‘lead worker representatives’, who are required in all workplaces under a nationally-agreed ‘return to work safety protocol.’ 


The protocol outlines the steps that employers must take to ensure a safe workplace when staff return to work as national restrictions are relaxed in the coming weeks and months.


In a letter to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan this week, DPER said that individual employers were ultimately responsible for the implementation of its provisions.


It said that “public service employers are required to adhere to the protocol,” and added that “different sectors and employers may require a variety of approaches to ensure the safety of their employees on return to the workplace.”


Fórsa sought assurances over the appointment of lead worker representatives after it emerged that public service employers were taking different approaches, with some opting to work through traditional health and safety structures that don’t necessarily feature union involvement.

 

In a letter to DPER, Kevin Callinan argued that arrangements under the agreed safety protocol were distinct from the normal workplace health and safety role.

 

He said this was necessary because staff had raised “a huge level of safety concerns” with their unions, which needed to be deeply involved in coronavirus-related safety measures “in the highly unionised public service environment.”


DPER’s formulation that “any arrangements should have the confidence of all parties” is seen as confirming a central union role, while giving employers scope to introduce safety measures in all circumstances.


Earlier, Fórsa sought and received confirmation that the protocol applies to staff who have been present in their workplaces throughout the crisis. DPER subsequently issued guidance that said: “Employers should ensure that the Return to Work Safely Protocol is reviewed for any additional issues that should be considered to ensure compliance with the protocol for those employees who are already working onsite.”


Read Fórsa’s advice on a safe return to workplaces HERE

 

 


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