For #IWMD25 retail and distribution trade union Usdaw is promoting the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) theme of ‘The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitisation on occupational health and safety’.
AI is transforming work and this has the potential to introduce new risks to health and safety in the workplace. In retail we have seen the automation of checkouts, in warehouses AI monitoring and assessing tasks and in manufacturing the automation of production lines. These changes in working practises could have a significant impact on workers' physical and mental wellbeing.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “International Workers' Memorial Day is when the labour and trade union movement remembers those who have been killed or injured at work and those who have died from occupational diseases. So, on 28 April we ‘remember the dead and fight for the living’ by highlighting our all-year-round campaigning for better health and safety.
“Health and safety at work is a right not a privilege. Keeping members safe is one of the key aims of Usdaw. This involves ensuring safe working practices and environments, safety training, ensuring the supply of personal protective equipment, and advising members and reps on all other aspects of safety at work.
“Usdaw has thousands of trained safety reps across the UK who are instrumental in maintaining a safe workplace and who work with management to prevent accidents. Usdaw also has experts in its health and safety section at head office who, along with the union’s network of area organisers, offer important advice and support to reps and members.
“The Health and Safety Executive is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and have helped to regulate and enforce health and safety law to improve workplace H&S standards and will play a significant role in protecting workers from the emerging risks from AI. What will also be vital when employers introduce AI, is a strong union with active representatives taking forward the workers' collective voice and consulting with employers to ensure technology is used for the benefit of all.
“Usdaw reps across the country will be bringing Workers Memorial Day into their workplaces, publicising the importance of health and safety and in some areas participating in public ceremonies and events. I wish them well in their commemorations and campaigning. Our message is clear – the best way to ensure your right to health and safety at work is to join the union.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Usdaw’s health and safety advice and resources: https://www.usdaw.org.uk/Help-Advice/Health-Safety
For further information please contact Usdaw’s Media Officer, David Williams on: 0161 249 2469, 07798 696 603 or by e-mail to [email protected]
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion