RoSPA in the Sixties
1960 Industrial safety members were encouraged to tackle 'off the job' safety with a home and road safety planning guide. RoSPA opened an office in Belfast. HRH The Prince of Wales passed his cycling proficiency test at Cheam School. Accidents to child cyclists dropped almost five per cent during the year. The first British Standard for seatbelts was launched. RoSPA immediately began to promote seatbelt wearing. Half a million children entered a national road safety poster competition. The National Home Safety Committee called for restriction on the sale of fireworks. The Water Safety Code was sold at seaside resorts.
1961 The Tufty Club for under fives was launched. More than 30,000 books about road safety were issued to parents. The Home Safety Act was passed giving local authorities permission to carry out home safety work. The Consumer Protection Act was also passed. The first National Home Safety Conference was held in London, attracting 500 delegates and turning away another 100 for lack of space. The first home safety organiser for Northern Ireland was appointed. A Safety Afloat Circle was launched to promote good watermanship. The Golden Eye Club and the YZ Club were launched to promote safety goggles and safety helmet wearing at work.
1962 Road accidents fell for the first time since 1952. Driver training schemes increased in popularity. RoSPA called for all local authorities for appoint road safety officers. Five additional assistant divisional organisers for road safety were appointed. More than 60,000 children joined the Tufty Club which was expanded to admit older children. Child cycling casualties continued to fall. Nearly a quarter of a million children saw cycle safety films in cinemas. Entries for the National Safe Driving Awards topped 250,000 for the first time. RoSPA campaigned for the use of dipped headlights in built up areas. The first full time water safety organiser was appointed and a separate water safety section established. RoSPA collaborated with the Advertising Association to publish a pamphlet on safety do's and don'ts for advertisers.
1963 The first Northern Ireland Road Safety Congress was held. The Parliamentary Home Safety Group launched the 'Buy and sell for safety' campaign underlining the Consumer Safety Act provisions. A firework safety campaign was run with the co-operation of the manufacturers. Industrial accidents were the worst since 1946. RoSPA held its first National Industrial Safety Month.
1964 The fourth World Congress on the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases organised by RoSPA and held in London. The Duke of Edinburgh was president of the Congress. The Register of Approved Driving Instructors was established. The Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland was formed with RoSPA providing the secretariat. RoSPA established a Commerce Safety department to provide a service to the eight million workers to be covered by the 1963 Office, Shops and Railway Premises Act. New traffic signs were introduced in the UK and RoSPA circulated 2,500,000 leaflets and 40,000 wallcharts explaining them. By the middle of the year more than a million children had been trained under the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme. Regulations were introduced to control the flammability of children's nightdresses. The National Water Safety Committee published an escape drill for people trapped in submerged cars. RoSPA called for drink drive legislation.
1965 HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was invested as President of RoSPA. The Tufty Club was featured in a scene in Cyril Fletcher's Christmas pantomime. The National Home Safety Committee considered the dangers of multi-tenanted houses. The All Party Parliamentary Water Safety Group was set up. A competition on tractor safety attracted 12,000 entries.
1966 RoSPA celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The Duke of Edinburgh, in his role as President, wrote to all industrial managements and asked them to increase their accident prevention activities. RoSPA took over the Birmingham Industrial Training Centre. Barbara Castle, then Minister of Transport, was the principal speaker at the Women's Road Safety Campaign Committee conference. The Golden Jubilee Transportable Exhibition was visited by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Road deaths were the highest in peace time. There were now more than 2,000 Tufty Clubs. For the first time more than 150,000 children, including Princess Anne, passed their cycling proficiency test. Attendances at the RoSPA House exhibition topped 40,000 for the first time. The National home Safety Committee was concerned about the flammability risks of fun-furs.
1967 RoSPA's biggest ever campaign in "Stop Accidents" Year. Fatalities from accidents fell by 1,500. Drink drive legislation was introduced and had an immediate effect in reducing road casualties. Visitors to RoSPA House topped 50,000. RoSPA re-submitted a request for a ban on the retail sale of fireworks. The Safety Education Division was formed and extended its concerns to the safety of outdoor pursuits and adventure centres. Home accident fatalities hit a 10 year low.
1968 Prince Philip visited the training centre in Birmingham. RoSPA ran a conference on safety in educational establishments. British Standard Time was introduced and road casualties fell. Training courses for commercial drivers began to be organised. The first driver to complete 45 years of safe driving received his NSDA award. Lord Beeching opened the President's Hall at the Birmingham training centre. The Girl Guides Association introduced an accident prevention badge in collaboration with the Home Safety Division.
1969 Department of Health asked again to instruct hospitals to record home accidents. For the first time since 1949 child cycling casualties fell below 10,000. Fatalities at 104 were the lowest for 30 years. An advanced cycling test was devised for over 13's. The National Home Safety Committee voiced its concern over child proof medicine containers and imported toys. Home safety training for local authority staff was introduced. The National Water Safety Committee campaigned for a new standard for lifebuoys and welcomed the publication of a standard for snorkels and face masks. A water safety guide for local authorities was published.
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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