APPG on OSH

NEW: Violence in the Workplace - published today! The APPG held a public hearing, with cross-Party panel members from the Commons and Lords receiving powerful witness testimony on the alarming rise in the rate of violent attacks against public-facing workers. Evidence was heard from @POAUnion @RMTunion @UsdawUnion @NASUWT @unitetheunion representatives. Read the report and its recommendations here: appgosh.org/post/report-wo…

On Tuesday, the APPG marked Workers’ Memorial Day with an event bringing MPs, peers, bereaved families, and unions together. You can read the write-up here: appgosh.org/post/workers-m… @IanLaveryMP @NeilForPoole @JohnSlinger #IWMD26

On 15 April, the APPG hosted a meeting on Asbestos: Preventing Tomorrow’s Victims, Protecting Today’s Patients We heard powerful testimony from patients, charities, medical experts and lawyers. With thanks to @ThompsonsLaw. Read the write-up here: appgosh.org/post/asbestos-…

“The All-Parliamentary Group on occupational health and safety is using Workers’ Memorial Day to highlight cuts to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and their impact on workplace safety.” @IanLaveryMP @H_S_E constructionmanagement.co.uk/mps-urge-regul…

Julia Waters spoke this morning about her sister, Ruth Perry. Ruth was a much-loved headteacher & @NEUnion member. She took her own life following an Ofsted inspection. Work-related suicides are currently not reportable or investigated to the regulator - that must change. #IWMD26

Anne Davies lost her husband, Jeff, a firefighter & @fbunational member, to occupational cancer in 2024. Jeff’s cancer was caused by chemical exposures at work. A preventable death as a result of inadequate protections. Thank you Anne, for speaking today. #IWMD26

Barry Appleton worked alongside Jorge Ortega, a transport worker and @RMTunion member violently attacked at work in 2024. He died of his injuries. Barry’s testimony a reminder of the risks workers face due to understaffing and inadequate controls. #IWMD26 #ActionAgainstAssaults

@SeamusLoganMP supporting Workers’ Memorial Day today #IWMD26

Today we mark International Workers' Memorial Day and those who have lost their lives at work. A privilege to hear friends and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, rail worker Jorge Ortega, and firefighter Jeff Simpson. So much more we still need to do to make work safe. #IWMD

Today in Parliament, the APPG marks Workers’ Memorial Day #IWMD26 MPs showed support for @RMTunion’s campaign to stop violence against transport workers. We heard from Barry, who worked alongside Jorge, an RMT member who died following an attack. #ActionAgainstAssaults

Tonight in Parliament we hosted a discussion on asbestos, followed by a reception, sponsored by @ThompsonsLaw. Thanks to @WarinderSJuss for chairing.

In November we hosted a meeting on silica, silicosis and the need for a ban with @ThompsonsLaw and @the_TUC. You can find the full report from the meeting on our blog: appgosh.org/post/silica-si…

Our panel members today were: Ian Lavery MP Lord Hendy KC Baroness Watkins Frances O’Grady, Labour peer Seamus Logan MP Warinder Juss MP Baroness Donaghy (not pictured)

Thank you to all the panellists and speakers who contributed to our public evidence session on violence at work. MPs and peers heard contributions from @RMTunion @UsdawUnion @NASUWT @POAUnion @unitetheunion

Today the APPG on Occupational Safety & Health launches an important report. Covered here in @thetimes: we call on government to ban @altrad_services from public contracts until it makes right its inherited asbestos legacy.

The APPG makes 3 recommendations to government in its report: 1. Back the call for a £10m donation from Cape towards cancer research 2. Issue no more public contracts to Altrad until this is done 3. Establish a phased asbestos removal plan

TODAY in Parliament: This All-Party Parliamentary Group will later launch a report following a public hearing on the legacy of asbestos manufacturer, Cape. The report has been covered in @thetimes:

Last week the APPG hosted a public hearing on the legacy of asbestos manufacturer, Cape (owned by Altrad). A full transcript and written submissions can now be viewed on our website: appgosh.org/post/evidence-…

My family has been affected by the devastating impact of asbestos - it meant a lot to me to be part of this.

John Flanagan, of @MerseysideAVS, presented to the hearing on the work of asbestos victims’ support groups, and the personal stories of some of those who lost their lives to mesothelioma following exposure to Cape asbestos products.

Sarah Lyons @NEUnion and Michael Phillips @NASUWT gave evidence to the hearing, speaking of the impact Cape asbestos products have on education workers According to @educationgovuk, 83% of schools contain asbestos The number of teachers diagnosed with asbestos cancers is rising

Yesterday this APPG held a public hearing into the legacy of Cape. Cape was at one time one of the world’s largest asbestos manufacturers. It is now owned by Altrad. The hearing panel was made up of MPs and peers from across the Parliament benches.