Wakefield Nasuwt

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01/04/2021

Courtesy of Sharon Calvert:

Education unions’ joint statement on the safe reopening of schools

Unions with members in the education sector are today (Monday) publishing a joint statement on the safe reopening of schools.

Today’s statement is signed by GMB, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, UNISON and Unite.

Full text of today’s statement:

The government’s chaotic handling of the opening of schools has caused confusion for teachers, school staff and parents alike. Bringing all pupils back into classrooms while the rate of infection is so high is exposing education sector workers to serious risk of ill-health and could fuel the pandemic.

Unions have called for a pause in the reopening of schools for anyone other than vulnerable children and children of key workers, and a move to remote learning for all while Covid-secure working arrangements are reviewed. All school staff continuing to work in schools should be given priority access to Covid-19 vaccinations.

Instead of casually asserting that schools are safe, the Prime Minister should sit down with unions to discuss a joint approach to ensuring safe working arrangements in all schools and prioritising enabling all pupils have the equipment and access they need to receive a high standard of remote learning until the safety of them and the staff in their school can be guaranteed.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The government’s own advice from SAGE makes it clear that opening schools to all pupils now risks increasing the infection rate. That’s in no-one's interests.

“Instead of creating chaos for parents and exposing workers to risks, the Prime Minister should be talking to trade unions about what steps are needed to make sure all schools are Covid-Secure.”

Commenting on this joint statement, NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:

“The NASUWT is completely committed to ensuring that children can return to school as quickly as possible.

“However, it is now abundantly clear that the pandemic is seriously impacting on the ability of all schools and colleges to continue to operate normally.

“The NASUWT is calling for an immediate nationwide move to remote education for all pupils in primary, secondary and special schools and colleges.”

12/07/2020

Courtesy of Fiona Hawksley

COVID-19: VENTILATION UPDATE

UPDATEThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance applies across Great Britain and is also referenced by the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI).

In summary, the HSE guidance underlines the importance of ventilation, and states:

• adequate ventilation does not mean that workplaces have to be cold;

• employers should identify poorly ventilated areas, including through the use of carbon dioxide monitors where appropriate;

• poorly ventilated areas must be dealt with;

• windows may not need to be opened as wide in winter as summer due to higher winds etc., but they must not be closed. Airing rooms can also help;

• fan heaters can be used provided ventilation is good, but not where ventilation is poor.The guidance also gives further information around mechanical systems, such as fans and air conditioning systems. Further advice is available from the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).Health and safety regulations already state that all workplaces must be adequately ventilated, and the HSE guidance emphasises this in terms of COVID-19 and the potential for airborne transmission in workplaces that are not well ventilated.If they have not already done so, all employers should urgently make an assessment of the ventilation in all rooms in order to identify poorly ventilated rooms. Many workplaces have installed carbon dioxide sensors to minimise potential for disputes over whether ventilation is sufficient.Members should avoid working in rooms that are poorly ventilated. Poorly ventilated rooms will often have:

• no mechanical ventilation and no or limited natural ventilation;

• mechanical systems that do not provide outdoor air (i.e. only recirculate air);

• a feeling of stuffiness or bad odours.If members have concerns around the ventilation in their school, they should raise this with their line manager, drawing their attention to the HSE/CIBSE guidance.If members are unhappy with the response from their school, members should contact the NASUWT for further advice.

08/10/2020

The NASUWT recognises the concern and anxiety that many members may be feeling about the plans to open schools to all pupils from the start of the new term.

The Union also recognises that because the final guidance on the opening of schools was not issued until after schools closed for the Summer break, many members will be unaware of the details of the plans their employers and schools were making for the start of the new term.

Based on the issues and concerns most frequently raised by members with the Union, the NASUWT has produced a self-audit checklist for individual members.

This latest version takes account of any changes in guidance which have been made in preparation for the opening of schools. Members are strongly advised to consider the checklist and follow the advice the Union has provided at the end of each section. Please click below for the checklist and more information.

www.nasuwt.org.uk