Advice & support
The FDA is committed to ensuring that its members have the right to be safe and healthy at the end of each working day. This fundamental right has been enshrined in law through concerted pressure by the trade union movement for centuries.
Safety studies show that workers are twice as likely to be injured in a non-unionised workplace. This is because in unionised workplaces, employers are required to work with union-appointed safety reps and set up safety committees.
The FDA as a trade union has the right under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 to appoint workplace safety reps. These regulations give various rights to safety reps, require employers to set up a safety committee and to inform and consult safety reps in good time on matters relating to health and safety.
Safety reps have the right to:
The training and support safety reps receive from their union mean that an experienced safety rep is in a good position to help. The FDA provides its safety reps with information, training and support over a wide range of health and safety issues. They are trained to spot hazards at work, assess risks, carry out inspections and negotiate improvements with management. Their back-up includes specialist advice from union safety experts, and access to legal advice if needed.
Every branch and section across the FDA should have a health and safety rep. Members who are interested in wellbeing, health and safety in their workplace should contact their local committee or National Officer about the process of becoming their branch/section health and safety rep.
FDA reps can sign up to our new accredited two day health and safety course. It is designed to help you build the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to carry out your work as a safety rep. To sign up for this course, please contact organiser@fda.org.uk. Dates for the course will then be announced throughout the year.
Health and safety and the environment
Support and information surrounding health and safety at work and climate change is available through the TUC. This includes a webinar on health and safety in changing climate, and a guide for reps on action that can be taken to guard against extreme workplace temperatures.
2025-26 has also been declared the Year of Trade Union Climate Action – you can find out more about this here.
FDA Learn, the FDA’s professional learning and development programme, offers a number of sessions designed to improve understanding of psychological safety and wellbeing at work. Like the session below, many of these are pre-recorded, and members can access them on FDA Learn On Demand via the member portal. Members can also register for upcoming FDA Learn sessions via the member portal.
FDA learn
This session offers practical techniques to develop and improve your wellbeing, resilience and emotional intelligence at work.
HELP
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you have the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Your employer has a legal duty to protect your health, safety and welfare at work. This includes providing adequate training, safe equipment, and implementing proper risk assessments. The TUC provides comprehensive advice and resources for reps to keep workers safe at workplace.
Key resources:
TUC Health, Safety and Well-being
Start with your workplace’s FDA health and safety representative or other FDA rep. FDA has a network of trained safety reps who can deal with health and safety issues in the workplace.
Contact points:
HSE helpline: 0300 003 1647
Your local union safety representative
HSE online: www.hse.gov.uk
Document your concerns in writing and raise them formally through your union representative. You have the right to refuse work that you reasonably believe presents serious and imminent danger. Your union can provide guidance on formal grievance procedures and escalation to external bodies if necessary.
Yes, absolutely. All workers have the right to a safe and healthy environment at work, and there are effective actions to prevent mental health risks and support workers with mental health conditions. Recent surveys show workers believe legislation should be updated to place greater emphasis on mental health and wellbeing.
Your employer should provide mental health support as part of their duty of care. However, only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health in the workplace, so knowing your rights is crucial.
Available support:
External resources:
Samaritans: 116 123
ACAS Mental Health Support
Mind: 0300 123 3393
The government has proposed to introduce a ‘right to switch off’, giving workers a right to disconnect from work outside of working hours, aiming to positively change employee burnout and stress at work. This will help protect your work-life balance and reduce stress-related health issues.
Common office health risks include:
Poor indoor air quality affecting respiratory health
Musculoskeletal disorders from poor posture, inadequate seating, or repetitive work
Eye strain from computer screens
Stress-related conditions from workload or workplace pressures
Your employer must provide suitable workstation equipment and ensure it’s properly adjusted for your needs. This includes ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, adequate lighting, and proper computer screen positioning. You’re entitled to regular breaks from screen work and eye tests if you’re a regular computer user.
Useful guidance:
Insufficient rest from long work hours can put physical, emotional, and mental health in danger, with workers more likely to have workplace injuries or make mistakes. Your employer should conduct stress risk assessments and implement measures to reduce workplace stress.
Your employer’s duty of care extends to work travel. They must assess risks associated with travel and provide appropriate support and guidance. This includes safe accommodation, travel arrangements, and emergency procedures.
Travel can be stressful, and consideration of mental wellbeing during travel is as important as physical health. Stress levels can be intensified during travel because you may not have familiar support systems.
Practical tips:
Resources:
GOV.UK Mental Health Abroad
NHS Fit for Travel – Mental Health
Contact your employer immediately and seek appropriate medical attention. Your employer should have procedures for medical emergencies during work travel, including insurance coverage and repatriation if necessary. Keep all medical documentation for potential compensation claims.
A new preventative duty came into force in October 2024 for employers to help ensure safety in the workplace. This strengthens employer responsibilities for workplace safety and prevention.
Key developments:
The UK’s framework for AI regulation is currently in development, with numerous opportunities around using AI to help support mental health. This could include AI-powered wellbeing monitoring and support systems, but also raises questions about privacy and worker surveillance.
Key Emergency Numbers
Essential Resources
Union-Specific Resources
GMB Health and Safety: www.gmb.org.uk
UNISON Health and Safety: https://www.unison.org.uk/unison-health-and-safety/
Unite Health and Safety: www.unitetheunion.org
This FAQ is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with your union representative or appropriate professional advisors for specific situations. Last updated: June 2025
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