Dear Member

FAO all members:

We have seen the latest briefing which is insisting all catering, cleaning and facilities staff must report to work in Dundee and some schools in Angus. There is absolutely no need for all staff to be in schools and is potentially placing people at risk.

We have continued to press on risk assessments. You should demand one immediately. Please observe the 2 metre rule and if that cannot be achieved then you can take yourself out of that unsafe situation under the Health and Safety Act 1974. Please take photographs if you can and send them to us, if the 2 metre rule isn’t being enforced by your managers.

If you have been in a workplace where someone has shown symptoms of Covid-19, you should be self isolating. If you have had any advice to the contrary then please get in touch with us as this would be putting you, your families, and the public’s safety at risk and goes against government advice.

Employers have a statutory duty to risk assess for COVID-19, as it is a ‘substance hazardous to health’, and to put in place a safe system of work.

Generic risk assessments are not satisfactory, as the working environment particular to your workplace should be assessed.

GMB will not compromise on your safety. Please contact your reps in the first instance.

If any of you would like to share your personal stories of any concerns you may have with working practices, then please contact us as we are trying to build a picture across all of your workplaces.