Facilities for safety reps

Employers must provide the “facilities and assistance” that safety reps reasonably need to carry out their functions.

The TUC says that the facilities recommended in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Code of Practice on Time off for trade union duties and activities should be made available to safety reps. These facilities include at least:

• access to means of communication such as a notice board, phone, email, intranet and internet;

• meeting facilities;

• a private place where a member facing a disciplinary charge or bringing a grievance can meet confidentially with a rep to discuss the situation;

• dedicated office space, if work volume requires this;

• access to members based at different locations; and

• use of computer facilities.

Acas Code of Practice Time off for trade union duties and activities can be found on the Acas website.