At the annual gathering of Usdaw, shop workers demanded that their employees take their safety matters, as they travel back and forth from their workplace, seriously. Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear campaign is working towards protecting shop workers from threats, violence and abuse.

Usdaw’s Deputy General Secretary Paddy Lillis spoke to the Morning Star about how workplace security was essential beyond the premises of the store. The workers faced many risks when coming to work or going back home after work. Women workers were particularly susceptible to dangers when they walking back home, waiting for a bus or stopping their cars in secluded places after sunset.

Sally Neale, the Kent delegate at the conference said that many people in the neighbourhood knew the store workers well. Due to this, the store workers, who refused to sell certain products such as alcohol, faced risks of attack from disgruntled customers and local gangs.

A night shift employee at a supermarket said that it was unfair that women workers had to fend for themselves at late hours after work while female managers were escorted to their cars by security guards. The union called for an end to this discrimination. They also called for safety measures in place so that safety of workers is not limited to the shop premises.

The integration of good health and safety management systems is an essential principle of any business. Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues. Training for the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, from Workplace Law is designed to give managers and supervisors all they need to know to help their organisation find the best ways to lead and promote health and safety.

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