Every day the nursing workforce is exposed to health and safety hazards at work, including stress, musculoskeletal disorders, violence and abuse and working in poorly maintained buildings. This can have a major impact both on the nursing workforce and delivery of patient care.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (The ACT) and the Health and Safety Order (Northern Ireland) 1978 are primary pieces of legislation covering occupational health and safety regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI).

However, substantial budget cuts affecting HSE/HSENI have put their effectiveness as a regulator at risk (IOSH 2023). When looking specifically at frontline HSE inspectors, analysis by Prospect Union concluded that in 2022 the number had fallen to 662.

This debate will highlight the importance of the ACT/Order to protect the health, safety and welfare of nursing staff and prevent ill health and incidents occurring. It will highlight the challenges we meet as a trade union to ensure employers are Compliant with the law. The debate will also recognise the power and influence of RCN Health and Safety Representatives and give direction to the RCN in how to develop and influence policy.

References

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, c. 37. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents

Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, No. 1039 (N.I.9) Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1978/1039

Warburton N (2023) Resource pressures put HSE effectiveness at risk, warns Prospect report. Available at: https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2023/05/08/resource-pressures-put-hse-effectiveness-risk-warns-prospect-report