Posted By John Cook I am experiencing some union resistance to involving staff in carrying out manual handling assessments. I work for the prison service and am responsible for 9 instructors who are in turn responsible for parties of 12 prisoners working in a variety of workshops. In essence they a re fulfilling the role of a shop floor supervisor. Obviously there are a variety of manual handling tasks which need assessing. To invovle the staff in this process a member of staff was provided with appropriate training to allow them to carry out assessments. Union are saying that it should only be management that carry them out as why should a member of staff carry the responsibility associated with the risk assessment. Anyone got any thoughts or advice please.

Posted By Christopher The management regulations do not require that it is a manager who undertakes assessments. It is sufficient for it to be someone with sufficient knowledge, experience and skills. It makes complete sense for the tasks to be undertaken by those who are undertaken the role. They should be involving everyone who is likely to be involved in the task. The manager may sign them off, but he is only signing that he has read them and that he is satisfied that the person who has written the assessment has the appropriate skills and has involved the relevant parties. Management also sign to say that they accept any risks that have been identified or to assess and determine the level of further resources required. I've been involved in prison work, and it amazes me that prisoners don't sue more. (I don't want to hear about the reasons for them being in prison). Lets focus on health and safety.

Posted By Robert Tailby What does the Prison Service H&S Policy say in its "Arrangements" about how risk assessments are to be carried out? My guess is that it will open the door for "shop floor" staff who have been properly trained and are given adequate support to do them, and I for one would encourage their involvement for reasons already stated by others above. If local Union reps are being obstructive, you could try going further up the chain within the Union - in my experience TUs can be very helpful in supporting risk assessment work by their members, and I would have thought the TUC et al would be in harmony with what you want to achieve. You could politely suggest to your local reps that they seek advice from "central office", and my guess is that this will help you resolve the problem - at least I hope so.

Posted By April Catherine Harvey John,I am the health and safety officer in a prison , if you can e-mail me direct I will fill you in on how we work with the trade union. Thanks April