Workplace Safety Regulations

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:34 pm on 29 September 2021.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 1:34, 29 September 2021

Well, this doesn't sound wildly dissimilar to some of the challenges we had with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency earlier in the pandemic. And I know that there are Members who have workers in the DVLA based in Swansea who will recall the difficulty in engaging with the employer at that time. So, I want to restate a couple of what should be straightforward points. The law in Wales applies to every employer in Wales in the private and public sectors when it comes to the expectation that they undertake risk assessments, and undertake them properly, publish the information, and do so with their staff. The consistent message here in Wales, from this Government, is you should work from home wherever possible. Now, I understand that there'll be conversations that employers will have with their employees about the ability to work from home—for some people, it isn't always possible to do all of their job from home. But, also, there are reasons why people may want to return to the workplace—there are particular well-being considerations for the workforce, about people positively wanting or needing to be within the workplace. That does not mean, though, that employers should simply insist that staff return to a pre-pandemic way of working, in tightly fitted and enclosed offices.

I understand the Member has referred to the PCS union, and we of course talk to the PCS union and employers across the country on a regular basis. If there are real concerns they're not able to resolve with the employer, I would expect those matters to be escalated as appropriate, and that includes making sure that everyone is following the requirements of the law here in Wales, and that includes paying proper regard to the advice from this Government about how to keep all of us safe, as this pandemic is not yet over.