AGENDA ITEM

REPORT TO LOCAL JOINT CONSULTATIVE PANEL

15th March 2010

REPORT of HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER

Workers Memorial Day

INTRODUCTION

International Workers Memorial Day is intended to remember all those killed at or by work, and to strengthen resolve to reduce risks and protect people from injury and death in the workplace and their causes.

RECOMMENDATION

Members are asked to note the report and consider whether additional representation should be provided from the Council by attendance at the ceremony in Hartlepool

BACKGROUND

  1. International Workers Memorial Day originated in Canada. 28th April was chosen for International Workers Memorial Day as it is the anniversary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the USA and also commemorates the day that 28 people were killed in a construction incident in Connecticut. Since 1989 Trade Unions in the USA, UK, Asia, Europe and Africa have organised events on and around 28th April.
  1. International Workers Memorial Day was adopted by the Scottish TUC in 1993, followed by the TUC in 1999. Events are held on the day to commemorate those who have died whilst at work. Official records show that 180 people were killed at work last year, 27,000 suffered major injury and approximately 8000 die each year from occupational cancers and lung disease.
  1. Within the Council, a Health and Safety Representative of the local Unison Branch Office invites the Mayor to mark the occasion each year. Last year the Mayor planted a tree in BillinghamCemetery.
WORKER MEMORIAL DAY PUBLIC CONSULTATION
  1. Between 27th July 2009 and 19th October 2009, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) undertook a consultation on the Government’s proposals for the official recognition of Workers Memorial day. Details of the consultation, and the Government’s response to the consultation are available form the DWP consultation website ;
  1. On the Basis of the responses received, the Government announced on the 28th January 2010 that it will officially recognise Workers Memorial Day from 28th April 2010. The 28th April was recognised by the International Labour Organisation as Workers Memorial Day, and as an International Day of Action for Safety and Health at Work, and there was no reason for the UK to depart from it. The Government stated that ‘The recognition will be in keeping, so far as possible, with the views expressed by respondents: ie, a non-prescriptive approach by Government, which honours the “spirit” of Workers Memorial day – both as a day of mourning and a forward-looking day of action to address the continuing risks to workplace health and safety – and it’s strong tradition of local, group-led organisation. We (the Government) hope that this non-prescriptive approach will go some way to meeting the concern, expressed by some respondents, that official recognition could prove intrusive to those bereaved families wishing to grieve in private.’
NORTH EAST REGIONAL BENCHMARKING
  1. Benchmarking in the North Eastern region found varying degrees of Council support.

Authority / Supported / In Attendance
Middlesbrough / No
Durham / No
N Tyneside / Yes / Elected Members and Senior Council Officials in attendance.
S Tyneside / Yes / Chief Executive, Heads of Service, Senior Managers, Health and Safety Manager.
British Telecom South Tyneside Ltd
Thompsons Solicitors
Hartlepool / Yes / A comprehensive itinerary planned for the event. Council Officers and Elected Members in attendance.
Redcar / No response
Darlington / Yes / Normally a representative from HR
Gateshead / No response
  1. Within the TeesValley, the current focus for Workers Memorial Day is a well established annual event in Hartlepool Borough Council, primarily organised by Trades Unions with support from other groups and agencies.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Members are asked to note the report and consider whether additional representation should be provided from the Council by attendance at the ceremony in Hartlepool

Name of Contact Officers:

Name:Julia Spittle

Job Title:Head of Human Resources

Tel No:01642 52 7016

Email:

Name:Derek MacDonald

Job Title:Health and Safety Manager

Tel No:01642 52 8195

Email: