Workplace wins

Win 1: PPE fit testing 

A hospital in the east of England was fit checking new brands of PPE instead of fit testing them. The CSP steward raised this issue with the staff side who took their concerns to management. The steward used the information and guidance published by the CSP to back up their arguments. As a result, the trust has now issued a joint statement and revised its guidance to be in line with Public Health England (PHE) guidance.  

Win 2: Fit testing  

Staff at a hospital in the midlands were concerned that their trust had stood down fit testing for FFP3 masks. The stewards and health and safety reps raised the issue with the deputy chief nurse and the matter was taken to the joint union and executive committee. They highlighted the CSP and PHE guidance and requested that a risk assessment be carried out. Fit testing of FFP3 masks has now resumed. 

Win 3: Risk assessments  

A steward at a hospital in the south east was approached by a member from a Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. They were concerned as the employer was refusing to do a risk assessment of their work environment. The steward raised this with the manager who has since carried out a risk assessment.  

Due to this success the steward is now also participating in a working group looking at what support the BAME staff may need, including a revised risk assessment. 

Win 4: Partnership working  

A CSP steward, who is also the vice-chair of the staff side at a hospital in Sussex attended twice weekly partnership meetings with the chief nurse and medical officer, who head up the clinical advisory group for PPE in the trust. They have been able to work collaboratively regarding PPE planning and advice for all staff across the organisation. This resulted in having PPE recommendations that went beyond the recommendations of PHE at that time and were in line with the CSP guidelines. 

Win 5: Workplace change  

Staff at a trust in the Midlands commenced a seven-day service, without any formal consultation. The CSP workplace team of reps was able to obtain written confirmation from executive management that the changes would be on a temporary basis and that there would be regular review dates. An agreement was also reached that at the end of the crisis period a full consultation would take place if there were proposals for any changes to become permanent. The CSP workplace team at another trust was successful in resolving the same issue. 

Be part of the CSP workplace team 

We can only provide the kind of support we do in the workplace if we have a strong CSP workplace team of stewards, safety reps and increasingly workplace contacts.  

Now, more than ever, workplaces need reps to help ensure that the work environment is a safe place for staff. We are asking all members to consider becoming a steward, safety rep or workplace contact.  

Stewards and safety reps will receive training and all reps will receive support and guidance on what tasks you could focus on during Covid-19.  

If you are interested then speak to the CSP steward in your workplace if you have one, or find out more information here.

Workplace issues? 

If you need support on an employment matter or on health and safety, contact your workplace rep in the first instance. Or call the CSP Enquiries Team on 020 7306 6666 or enquiries@csp.org.uk