TSSA signs up to Tackling Diabetes Safety Charter

TSSA has signed up to support the Tackling Diabetes Safety Charter in partnership with the Diabetes Safety Organisation.

The announcement comes ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14th November, a globally celebrated event that increases awareness about the condition.

Unfortunately, diabetes continues to rise in the UK. Some seven hundred people a day are being diagnosed with this condition, that’s one person every two minutes. With this in mind, an increased awareness and understanding is vital to ensure a safe place of work.

The Tackling Diabetes Safety Charter is there to help provide better awareness and support around this along with other aspects, helping more companies put in place best practise around diabetes safety.

According to the Diabetes Safety Organisation, diabetes is a "hidden epidemic and the fastest growing health threat facing our nation. 4.6 million people have the condition in the UK."

Diabetes can cause people to have blackouts if not properly managed. The charter has been developed to help companies protect their staff from diabetes risk.

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, said: 

"The safety and wellbeing of our members and the public is always our number one priority. That is why our union welcomes this charter and recognises the important role it will play in raising awareness of diabetes.

"Our union has members working to serve the public and keep them safe at companies including Network Rail, Transport for London, HS2, Transport for Wales and a wide range of train operating companies – from LNER to Scot Rail to C2C, Abellio - as well as DB Cargo, Cal Macferries and many more.

"There should be no stigma around the condition and our union will do all it can to minimise risk to members and make a positive contribution to understanding of diabetes and associated risks."