Workers' Memorial Day, 28 April, is nearly upon us, and looks set to send a serious message to the government about its deadly safety plans. The TUC's call for a Day of Action to Defend Health and Safety is being heard nationwide, with events planned all the way from Penzance to Aberdeen, and Newport to Newcastle. TUC says with safety facing an unprecedented attack from the government, the national action will 'make it clear that we want clear commitments and action from those who should be protecting us.' It adds: 'Join any events in your area on that day and demonstrate that we will not give up our right to a safe workplace.' The message is being heeded outside the usual union and safety activist circles, too. This week UK-based IOSH - the world's biggest organisation representing safety professionals - is urging its members and staff to take up the issue. It has launching a new social media campaign, 'What does Workers' Memorial Day mean to you?', to mark the day. IOSH is calling on people to take pictures of themselves and their teams, holding up signs that describe what they see as the important message of the day. IOSH chief executive Rob Strange OBE said: 'We wanted to find a way of showing support to those people for whom Workers' Memorial Day has most poignancy, as well as for those who might need a reminder of why occupational safety and health is absolutely crucial. This campaign gets to the heart of the matter.' He added: 'We believe it's important that organisations like IOSH campaign and call for better occupational safety and health around the globe, in a bid to drive up standards and drive down statistics which currently show that too many people aren't returning home after work each day.' TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson commented: 'This is a welcome initiative from IOSH that illustrates the growing recognition of the importance of the day. We hope that as many people as possible will provide pictures of the reality of working life, in both the UK and abroad.'
25.4.12
Workers' Memorial Day is days away!
Workers' Memorial Day, 28 April, is nearly upon us, and looks set to send a serious message to the government about its deadly safety plans. The TUC's call for a Day of Action to Defend Health and Safety is being heard nationwide, with events planned all the way from Penzance to Aberdeen, and Newport to Newcastle. TUC says with safety facing an unprecedented attack from the government, the national action will 'make it clear that we want clear commitments and action from those who should be protecting us.' It adds: 'Join any events in your area on that day and demonstrate that we will not give up our right to a safe workplace.' The message is being heeded outside the usual union and safety activist circles, too. This week UK-based IOSH - the world's biggest organisation representing safety professionals - is urging its members and staff to take up the issue. It has launching a new social media campaign, 'What does Workers' Memorial Day mean to you?', to mark the day. IOSH is calling on people to take pictures of themselves and their teams, holding up signs that describe what they see as the important message of the day. IOSH chief executive Rob Strange OBE said: 'We wanted to find a way of showing support to those people for whom Workers' Memorial Day has most poignancy, as well as for those who might need a reminder of why occupational safety and health is absolutely crucial. This campaign gets to the heart of the matter.' He added: 'We believe it's important that organisations like IOSH campaign and call for better occupational safety and health around the globe, in a bid to drive up standards and drive down statistics which currently show that too many people aren't returning home after work each day.' TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson commented: 'This is a welcome initiative from IOSH that illustrates the growing recognition of the importance of the day. We hope that as many people as possible will provide pictures of the reality of working life, in both the UK and abroad.'
