CWU Conference 2013 carried Motion 89. Conference agreed that training for Health and Safety Reps was paramount and that in the CWU we have an excellent in-house Education and Training Centre and
Programme providing Health and Safety Reps Stage 1, 2 and 3 Courses, followed by the TUC Occupational Health and Safety Diploma Course.
It was agreed however that for those experienced, senior Health and Safety Reps that had completed their training some time ago, periodic refresher training courses should be made available in order to keep H&S Reps up to speed with ongoing developments in the field of health and safety, e.g. legal changes, new standards, regulations, approved codes of practice and guidance for examples as well as dealing with compliance, enforcement and the enforcing authorities for example. Additionally, there are the important aspects of occupational health now coming to the for alongside safety.
We have requested that the employers give recognition to the course and grant paid release, adding it to the nationally agreed paid time off course list.
Ruskin College has advised that full accreditation is difficult to achieve due to FE funding changes but those attending will be provided with a joint CWU/Ruskin College certificate.
Applications can now be submitted by Branches for all ASRs/USRs and the usual protocols and application processes will apply.