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The Association of Teachers and Lecturers in Sandwell ü
still the only professional association website dedicated to its
Sandwell members. |
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the thinking person’s alternative |
last update: Wednesday, 07 February 2007 |
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“One always overcompensates
for disabilities. I'm thinking of having my entire body surgically removed.” Douglas Adams 1951-2002 ATL Sandwell EXTRA
Just like the proverbial iceberg, ATL Sandwell’s website contains
much that is hidden. To access more pages,
simply subscribe to our regular email bulletin |
Health and Safety Briefing All employers and employees have a duty of care to themselves and
others. This page highlights some current
issues. Use your web-browser’s search / find facility to look for key words. |
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personal help for ATL members Contact addresses London office 020 7930 6441 WC2N 5RD Branch Office 0845 370 2213 WS4 2HU Sandwell Local Authority
Children
and Young People's Services Shaftesbury
House B70 9LT Personnel Department 0121 569 8170 Paymaster Services:
Salaries 0121 569 3300 ATL Pensions Enquiries 020 7782 1600 Jobs in Sandwell
Schools |
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Cancer and mental health problems classified as disabilities From December 2005, anyone who has cancer, HIV or multiple
sclerosis will, from the point of diagnosis, be classified as 'disabled'
within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. The decision
followed public consultation. As a result the Government concluded that
employers could not be expected to undertake medical assessments to determine
whether a person who has cancer is covered by the Act and has therefore made
this change. Employees with mental health problems have had major problems in
establishing that they are ‘disabled' within the meaning of the Disability
Discrimination Act. This was due, in part, to the requirement that the mental
illness should be 'clinically well recognised' and ruled out 'stress', for
example. This requirement was removed from December 2005 and, as a
consequence, mental illness should now be on a level playing field with
physical impairments, when defining who is disabled within the meaning of the
Act. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 is available from the
Office of Public Sector Information click here Bullying and Harassment ACAS, the advisory and conciliation body, has produced draft
guidance on bullying and harassment for employers. In the publication ACAS
advises employers to formulate a policy containing the following checklist: ü
a statement of commitment from senior management; ü
the responsibilities of managers; training for managers; ü
an acknowledgment that bullying and harassment needs to be
addressed; ü
a clear statement that bullying and harassment is unlawful and
will not be tolerated; ü
examples of unacceptable behaviour; investigatory and
disciplinary procedures; ü
confidentiality and protection from victimisation for those
making complaints; ü
preventative measures; ü
grievance procedures, including timescale for action; ü
how the policy will be implemented, reviewed and monitored. According to ACAS, policies will have a more practical impact as
employees will be involved in their development. ACAS adds that where
problems are discussed in the workplace, bullying is less likely to occur.
The guidance is available from the ACAS website at
www.acas.org.uk/publications/AL04draft.html Computer work and Eyecare The Eyecare Trust and Oprex have come together to suggest the
following tips to help minimise monitor screen fatigue:- ü
take a break approximately every 20 minutes; ü
blink regularly (this tends to slow down when users focus on the
screen for long periods); ü
position documents at roughly the same distance from the eyes as
the screen, thus avoid having to refocus when shifting view; ü
customise screen settings by making sure that the monitor is
between 32 - 60 centimetres from the eyes and that the centre of the screen
is 10 - 15 centimetres below the user's natural eye level; ü
ensure that the screen is clean; ü
use a font size of 12pt or above; ü
minimise glare; ü
dim the lights slightly. Further information is available from www.nationaleyeweek.co.uk Local authority approval for school visits Sandwell’s Guidelines for Offsite/Out of Hours Educational
Activities require that certain categories of activity are approved by the
LA. All activities/visits that involve: · potentially dangerous
activities (see page 49 of Guidelines) · an overnight stay; or · a visit abroad must have LA approval. This requires the submission of the appropriate paperwork to the
Offsite/Out of Hours Health and Safety Co-ordinator a minimum of six weeks
before the visit goes ahead. The only exception is where the activity/visit is using one of
Sandwell’s own residential centres where LA approval is not necessary. Please give consideration to whether an activity needs LA
approval in the early stages of planning. We cannot guarantee that such last
minute applications will be able to be processed in time. Any queries regarding this can be answered by Christina Grange,
Offsite and Out of Hours Health and Safety Co-ordinator on 0121-569 8152 Minister publishes school
trips manifesto Ministers have published plans for a 'manifesto' for school trips
which would guarantee every child the chance to attend at least one
residential activity. The manifesto aims to cut the bureaucracy that has
dogged schools trying to organise outdoor activities, while giving clear
guidelines on safety. Schools Minister Lord Adonis said that education
outside the classroom was safe and could be ‘inspirational'. "From a geography field trip to a week
at an outdoor pursuits centre, education outside the classroom can help to
enrich the curriculum," he said. "We know that parents and teachers want to feel confident
when pupils are taken from the classroom on a visit". Schools already
make good use of our extensive and widely welcomed guidance on visit safety,
but we will go further in our manifesto by including key recommendations for
safe visits. "We hope that the manifesto will give schools the
confidence to offer even more education outside the classroom and that all
those involved are aware of their rights and responsibilities." The
consultation paper is available from the Department for Education and Skills
website at click here Taking Students Off Site The new edition of ATL's popular publication Taking Students Off
Site has just been published. Written to help teachers and lecturers plan a
safe and successful off-site trip, this publication is essential reading even
for those whose off-site contact with students is limited to seeing them onto
a bus outside the school or college premises. To order this publication contact ATL's despatch line on 0845
4500 009 and quote product code PED03. Sandwell’s Guidelines for Offsite/ Out of Hours Educational
Activities can be viewed on line as a pdf document. The Health and Safety Guide
for Schools and Colleges The new edition of ATL's popular publication The Health and
Safety Guide for Schools and Colleges has just been published. Using
straightforward language and with clear signposts on where to go for further
help, this practical guide provides clear guidance on issues ranging from
health and safety legislation and emergency procedures, to supporting pupils
and students with medical needs. Essential reading for all education staff
who need to fulfil their legal duties as employees and contribute to
maintaining a safe working environment. To order this publication contact ATL's despatch line on 0845
4500 009 and quote product code HSG02. Government commitment to HSE stress management standards Lord Hunt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the
Department for Work and Pensions and Minister for Health and Safety, has
emphasised the strong benefits to individuals, organisations and society of effectively
managing stress at work. He gave full government backing for the Health and Safety
Executive's (HSE) Management Standards for work-related stress, at a
conference arranged to mark National Stress Awareness Day. Lord Hunt said: "Over half a million people in the UK
currently experience stress at a level they believe is making them ill, and
this costs society over £3.7 billion per year. The Government is committed to
tackling this issue. Not only are we faced with the challenge of tackling
stress at work itself, but we face an extra difficulty in changing people's
perceptions of what work-related stress is and how it can be managed. It is
vital that we successfully work with employers in getting people back to
work". This is why the Government launched the ‘Strategy for the Health
and Wellbeing of Working Age People'. The Government attaches great
importance to the health and wellbeing of working age people and this
strategy is very much more significant than anything any previous government
has committed to. The conference, staged by the HSE and the International Stress
Management Association UK, was held in An on-demand highlights package of the whole
conference, including sector-specific seminar sessions, is currently
available via the HSE website at click here |
this page is www.atlsandwell.org.uk/hsbriefing.htm