International Workers' Memorial Day

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic 'accidents'. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority.

International Workers' Memorial Day (IWMD) commemorates those workers.

Minute's silence

At 12 noon on 28 April, join us in taking part in the minute's silence.

Spread the word by posting this tweet, sharing this Facebook status or asking your contacts on WhatsApp to join you in taking part in the silence.

It will be a moment to pay tribute to the sacrifice made of so many workers during the pandemic, to remember those who've sadly lost their lives because of their work, and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.

The initiative is supported by the government, and reps may wish to request employers mark it, by asking the workforce to cease work for one minute at 12noon.

Help spread the word about the minute's silence, by encouraging as many friends and colleagues to take part, whether in their workplace of at home.

Use the hashtag #IWMD24 on social media channels to help spread the word about the day and why you're getting involved.

Find out more on the TUC website.

Theme for 2024: The climate crisis and workers' health

As our climate continues to change due to global warming, workers are experiencing increasing risks to their occupational health and safety.

Extreme weather events, heat stress, UV radiation, air pollution, industrial accidents and chemical exposures are just some of the issues our members will face as a result of the climate crisis.

UCU stand together with workers across the globe to remember the early victims of climate change and we commit to fight for a world that is more, not less, safe to live and work in.

If any member or existing rep wants to be a workload rep. please see our workload campaign information for details of the campaign and register for workload training.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure workers do not suffer from physical or mental ill-health because of work.

All UCU members must have the right, to go to work and not be made ill by it.

On #IWMD24 we remember the dead and fight for the living!

Resources and updates will be posted on the dedicated 28 April webpages: www.28april.org

Inspect your workplace buildings

The TUC are encouraging safety reps to inspect workplace buildings in the run up to International Workers Memorial Day. Hundreds of union safety reps across the UK will be carrying out building inspections to look at various safety issues such as RAAC, asbestos and fire safety. 

TUC have launched the sign-up form for reps to indicate that they want to get involved and carry out an inspection and will provide reps who sign up with the resources needed to do this.

Below are some additional safety resources you may also find useful:

• Your first workplace inspection
• Workplace inspection - using and developing checklists
• Workplace inspection report form
• Legionnaires' disease - UCU factsheet
• Joint Union Asbestos Committee - checklist
• Covid-19: Ventilation at work (September 2021)  (includes ventilation checklist)
• Joint union heatwave protocol
• UCU: Example of a fire precautions checklist
• Everything you need to know about Raac