Unite calls for climate-proofing of safety laws

The Unite general union has urged government departments and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to climate-proof health and safety legislation, ensuring protection for workers during extreme weather events.

The call follows the death of Unite member Matthew Campbell, who was killed during Storm Ali in 2018, and a union survey conducted after Storm Éowyn — the UK’s strongest windstorm in over a decade — struck in January 2025.

Of 1,225 members surveyed across Northern Ireland, 59% with outdoor responsibilities had to work during the storm, but just 23% felt safe. Two-thirds believed employers had failed to take reasonable precautions. Among those not required to work, over half had to use annual leave, unpaid or sick leave, flexitime or TOIL.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Many workers felt unsafe working and travelling during Storm Éowyn, while some employers attempted to shift the financial cost of closure onto workers.”

The union is also proposing a new entitlement of four days’ paid climate leave, covering hazardous travel conditions or urgent domestic needs caused by extreme weather. It cited similar measures introduced by the Spanish government in 2024.