Health & Safety If you would like to be a health and safety rep, or perhaps you would like some training in health and safety, then please get in touch with us. 0113 201 4281 leedsnasuwt@nasuwt.net Thanks to union campaigning, the UK has comprehensive health and safety legislation. NASUWT has played an active role in campaigning for better health, safety and welfare provision for teachers. The union aims to have a trained health and safety representative (H&S Rep) in every school and college where there are members. A trade union H&S Rep is elected by their fellow members and is not appointed by the head teacher, principal or anyone else. Functions of trade union H&S Representatives include:     * attending training courses:     * investigating problems and reporting to management;     * carrying out regular workplace inspections;     * being consulted by management on health and safety matters. H&S Reps are legally entitled to the facilities and time off needed to enable them to carry out these functions. An employer must establish a Safety Committee when requested by two Safety Representatives. There is no excuse for workplace bullying.... What the law says Employers/governing bodies have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act for the health and wellbeing of their staff. It is an implied term of contract that an employee should be able to carry out his/her duties free from bullying. Behaviour that affects the dignity of individuals in the workplace and is perceived as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient is harassment and may be covered by anti-discrimination legislation in respect of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief. Trade union membership is also covered. The starting point for an anti-bullying culture is a written policy - unions in Leeds have agreed a policy with Education Leeds. Get it here.