As a union which represents workers in call-centres, exchanges, depots and offices as well as workers who drive and those who work outdoors, the CWU is very conscious of safety. The CWU can and does make sure that your working conditions are as safe and as healthy as possible. As a worker in the communications Industry you could potentially face all sorts of hazards such as working with electricity, machinery and the danger of road accidents Some of our members also have to contend with human hazards including robbery and crime, verbal abuse, sexual harassment and physical violence.

Management's Responsibility
The management of your company have a great responsibility to make sure that you and your work colleagues are aware of the precautions you must lake to minimise the risk of accidents or violence occurring. The CWU can assist you by carrying out inspections of your workplace and its work practices and systems in order to ensure that your employer is meeting his/her responsibilities.

Remember under the law employers must provide you with a safe place of work, competent fellow workers, proper equipment and a safe system of work In addition, your company must provide you with safety clothing where necessary and set out its policy on safety and its systems for dealing with any accidents in a safety plan.

Staffs Role
Staff too have a key role to play by taking reasonable care for their own safety, health and welfare. The CWU encourages members, like you and your colleagues, to elect a Safety Representative in each workplace. In order to maximise the effectiveness of our Safety Representatives, the CWU provides training courses which guarantee that they have the knowledge and expertise to carry out inspections at work. In addition, your representative has access to the back-up of the union's own team of health and safety experts.