[IER] New IER report: HSE and Covid at work - a case of regulatory failure

Mon Mar 8 10:29:22 GMT 2021

News brief - 08/03/21                                                                            <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=70ca208701> View this email in your browser 

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New IER report: HSE and Covid at work - a case of regulatory failure 

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This Thursday (11 March 2021), the IER will launch its latest report: HSE and Covid at work: a case of regulatory failure. Join us at our  <https://tinyurl.com/55y82fw2> free launch event to mark the anniversary of the declaration of the pandemic, where our panel of experts will be joined by Secretary of State for Employment Rights and Protections, Andy McDonald. The event will feature an extended question and answer session to stimulate discussion over the findings of the report and the issues faced by workers fighting for safe workplaces during the pandemic. 

 <https://tinyurl.com/55y82fw2> Book your place 

WATCH: HSE and Covid at Work

 <https://youtu.be/AUqisTTv27I> 

FREE LAUNCH

11am, Thursday 11 March 2021

A one-hour event in which our expert authors will present their findings and take questions on health and safety in the workplace - the problems faced during the pandemic and their potential solutions.

 <https://tinyurl.com/55y82fw2> Book your place 

HSE and Covid at work: a case of regulatory failure is written by 11 specialists in occupational health and safety and labour law, including academics conducting empirical research into workplace risk factors throughout the pandemic. The team, from England, Scotland and Wales, carried out a comprehensive review of the latest data on workplace transmission and the response of the government and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to mitigating that risk. Their report identifies a serious mismatch between the risk to workers' health and the government's claims to make workplaces "Covid-secure".

Workplace infections account for a significant proportion of all Covid cases. An analysis of PHE data conducted by Professor Rory O'Neill, one of the co-authors of HSE and Covid at work, revealed that 40% of people testing positive for Covid-19 reported prior 'workplace or education' activity. Meanwhile, a survey of call centre workers by co-author Professor Phil Taylor revealed that over one in three (35.4%) were seated less than two metres away from their colleagues in contravention of social distancing rules. This is despite a warning from the government's own SAGE advisors that reducing social distancing to one metre rather than two could increase transmission ten-fold.

In May 2020, the government declared workplaces "Covid-secure" and reassured workers that this would be enforced through a £14m package for HSE 'spot checks'. But IER's analysis found strong evidence that risk was not sufficiently mitigated in workplaces because Covid-19 rules were not adequately enforced.

The IER's analysis of the government's strategy reveals an underfunded, light-touch approach through an understaffed agency which failed to regulate the risk to workers and, by logical extension, to communities, including carers, pupils and students in education and their parents. The magnitude of this risk has since been tragically borne out by large workplace outbreaks such as that seen at the DVLA's Swansea offices, while the government's underwhelming response is reflected in the complete absence of prosecutions of employers known to be breaking Covid rules. 

 <https://tinyurl.com/55y82fw2> Book your place 

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COMMENT: Women: At the heart of the Covid fight, and now fighting the discrimination that came with it

On International Women's Day, Sarah Glenister says women have been at the heart of the fight against Covid-19, but our policymakers have given them little thanks in return.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/women-at-the-heart-of-the-covid-fight-and-now-fighting-the-discrimination-that-came-with-it/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: A personal perspective from behind the PPE

As the public reels from the shock of a real-terms pay cut for nurses, an NHS worker reveals how life has been through the pandemic.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-personal-perspective-from-behind-the-ppe/> Read full report 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/3ae9663b-a12a-4ba2-affd-05af57f171a9.jpg> 

COMMENT: How we won against Uber

Legal Director for GMB, Susan Harris, reviews her union's years-long fight against Uber and its hard-earned landmark victory.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/how-we-won-against-uber/> Read full report 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/67bc248a-9be4-47c4-8a3f-6f833c8e0919.jpg> 

COMMENT: Uber and beyond: clamping down on the gig economy

Old Square Chambers Barrister, Tom Kirk, says the Supreme Court's landmark decision that Uber drivers are workers could be transformative, but real protection will come from employment law reform.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/uber-and-beyond-clamping-down-on-the-gig-economy/> Read full report 

IER and Covid-19

Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER is holding all events online until further notice.

IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.

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