Thursday Talk: Picking up the Threads!
21st January, 6-7.30pm

Register for the online event here

Across the UK, transmission of the virus is out of control and workers are dying or being left with Long-Covid because their employers haven’t controlled the transmission risks. What can we do to ensure all our workplaces are Covid-Safe and what does this mean?

We will be joined by experts from different trade unions, sectors and industries, who will lead a discussion in how to keep workers safe and prevent infection risks.

If you have any specific questions you would like to put to the panel, email them in advance or post in the chat on the night.

Links to Information
View a film about workplace Covid-19 transmission in the Hazards magazine Venting article

Register for the online event here

Supporting our work
If you would like to get involved in the work of the Hazards Campaign and/or would like to donate. Then please send an email and/or any donations to Hazards Campaign c/o:
info@hazardscampaign.org.uk

Account Greater Manchester Hazards Centre Ltd
Sort Code 60 83 01
Account Number 20090443
Ref Name/organisation
Or by cheque to Hazards Campaign c/o Janet Newsham
177 Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8AE

For more information
janet@gmhazards.org.uk
07734 317 158

Please circulate details of this event to members and networks. The Hazards Campaign is part of the Zero Covid organising group  has provided speakers and chairs for sessions in this event. 

2021 must be the year of #ZeroCovid

England’s four-tier system is a failure. Test and Trace is not doing its job. The Westminster government is battling to keep schools open against educators and medical experts’ advice. There is no plan to get us out of this cycle of restrictions. In Scotland too, despite Holyrood steering a different course at times, infection rates are rising rapidly.

What’s the alternative?

Zero Covid is the alternative. It’s a strategy to eliminate the virus, which means a working Test and Trace system, financial and material support for people to enable them to isolate, and ensuring all workplaces which are open are certified Covid-Safe. Restrictions on our lives can be lifted once these elements are in place and as new cases drop off to a level which can be managed by public health teams.

Find out more at the Organising for Zero Covid conference! Register for the online conference

Morning plenary:

• Professor Michael Baker (New Zealand Ministry of Health’s Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group, pc)
• Professor Susan Michie (Independent SAGE, pc)
• Hector Wesley (Black Activists Rising Against Cuts)
• Janet Newsham (Hazards Campaign for workplace safety)
• Diane Abbott MP

Breakout groups

Afternoon plenary

• Richard Burgon MP
• Disability rights campaigner TBC
• Workplace activist TBC
• Helen McFarlane (NHS worker, Scotland)
• Kevin Courtney (Joint General Secretary, National Education Union)

Workshops

• Schools (staff, parents and students)
• Campuses (staff and students)
• Workplace organising around safety
• Building a local Zero Covid group
• Defend Our NHS
• Poverty, benefit and cuts
• Scotland
• Wales
• Zero Covid in the Labour Party

A full timetable is available here

Healthy and Safe Work centred on Precaution, Prevention and Participation

Too many people work in unsafe, unhealthy, precarious working environments.  This has to change.  We will collectively campaign for:

1. The fundamental human right to safe and healthy work, a safe and healthy working environment for all workers regardless of employment status, that is enforced and protected in law.
2. A society that prioritises health, safety and dignity of its workers and provides just treatment for the victims of health and safety crime and ensures fair treatment for all workers harmed by work, including compensation and job protection.
3. The right to safe, decent and secure work with preventive and not purely reactive enforcement including: the entitlement of all workers to minimum living wage, regular and contracted hours, paid holidays, and sick pay regardless of employment status.
4. Protection from all public health risks, including biohazards which can lead to work-related infections, outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.
5. Protection from global risks to workers health and safety including trade deals and a ‘due diligence’ requirement on companies with a  responsibility for safety and working conditions throughout their supply chains.
6. Continuous assessment and improvement of health, safety and employment legislation, to ensure that prevention of harm from all risks, are increased to the highest practicable standards.
7. A precautionary approach to be taken to health and safety risks in all employment settings.  All workplaces to be covered by Trade Union Safety reps regardless of recognition agreements, through Roving Reps and the full enforcement of upgraded Safety Reps and Safety Committees Regulations, to cover all workers.
8. Independence from political and commercial interference in the authorities enforcing health and safety at work and in those enforcing public health and environment protection; with ring fenced funding and resources to ensure these bodies can function independently to ensure the highest preventative and protective standards for workers and public/environmental health.
9. Full participation and equity for employee representatives, on all health and safety regulator, industrial health and safety and workplace health and compensation bodies/agencies.
10. Development of a Toxic Use Reduction programme including legislation, financial resources, scientific research and support to enable the elimination of toxic substances used at work and their substitution with safer alternatives to improve workers health, reduce toxic substances in form of plastic and other waste, air pollution and contribution to climate change.
11. 

Links:
https://www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/manifesto
https://www.hazards.org/deadlybusiness/manifesto.htm