Article from Tommy Campbell, Unite Regional Officer Demanding better workplace safety is not a stunt. It’s what trade union’s do. By Tommy Campbell, Unite Regional Officer It was the determination of offshore workers to improve the health and safety standards in the oil and gas industry that lead to union recognition in the offshore industry. There is no doubt that the industry attitude to health and safety has improved, although still too many workers have lost their lives or suffered injury when undertaking their jobs. The Back Home Safe campaign continues a rich trade union tradition of workers campaigning for improved workplace health and safety and it is led by our members. There is no stunt here; the demands of our campaign amplify the demands of our offshore members and that is exactly what the job of a trade union is. No one can argue that the safety record of helicopters cannot be improved and no one can argue that the industry has not had long enough to resolve the on-going problems. Workers look enviously across the North Sea to their Norwegian colleagues where business is conducted in a more inclusive manner and the evidence clearly shows positive results in the context of health and safety – particularly concerning offshore helicopter transfers. Is it really beyond us to try and replicate this in the UK offshore industry? It shouldn’t be and that’s what Back Home Safe is all about. Workers have a right to expect to return home to their families and friends in one piece and it is the duty of the industry to ensure this happens. It is clear that the industry must do more. Unite members expect their union to help protect them at work and we can achieve this in a variety of ways - whether its negotiations or campaigning. Anything less would be failing our membership, so I am proud to be working with them to help deliver their health and safety objectives. Back Home Safe is a progressive effort by working men and women to shape changes to their working environment, changes that are so obviously required and will - ultimately - benefit everyone across the industry in the long-term. That’s something that everyone who has the best interests of the offshore sector at heart should surely welcome.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 10:49:46 +0000
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