Why I got involved & started   “Hazards Campaign Wales”

Once upon a time, not so long ago (July 2005), I went to my first hazards conference in Leeds - just to have a look. I met some fellow travellers on the train, who were also going to hazards and we shared a taxi. One of those was Chris Leaman, who is also involved with this campaign.

Whilst  I was there, I met Hilda Palmer (chair of greater Manchester hazards) & Rory O'Neill (editor risks, TUC and hazards magazine). Little did I know then, what effect the weekend would have on me, and how  all our paths would combine in the future.

Talking with other reps whilst I was at my first hazards conference, I found that no matter which union your in, we all seem to have the same problems with employers relating to :

Work place death is  an especially  emotive topic for me as I  am also a   bereavement counsellor. Many years ago whilst nursing,  I came into contact with many who were injured through their work, and families who were bereaved from workplace incidents that later resulted in death of their loved ones.
 
The Hazards Campaign believes:

It is a universal human right to have a safe and healthy workplace, and to be able to go to work and return home after a day's work as fit and healthy as when we left home.

And so do I,  so on returning from hazards conference last year, I tried to find a campaign group near where I lived to get involved, but there wasn't one ......so I decided to start one!  

So who am I ?
My name is Judith. My trade union is UNISON.  My elected  union  role is health and safety officer, which I do as well as my job. I am also a Unison  lay tutor, and active through Unison Labour Link.

So if you email me it might take a day to come back to you!