RoSPA in the Seventies
1970 Margaret Thatcher MP chaired a one day training conference on the safety training of children. More than 2.5 million children had been trained under the cycling proficiency scheme. RoSPA collaborated with the Showman's Guild to produce a safety code for fairground operators. The National Road Safety Committee was established. RoSPA called on the Government to give road safety a priority in the forthcoming local government re-organisation. The Society was employing 104 people on road safety work, 77 of them paid for by Government grant. RoSPA voiced concern at the lack of local authority posts with a specific remit for water safety.
1971 The first issue of Occupational Safety & Health was published. The Home Safety journal redesigned to become Care in the Home. Formation of Institute of Road Safety Officers. RoSPA House closed at the end of its lease. RoSPA gave evidence to the Robens Committee which was enquiring into Safety and Health at Work. The Government decided to make local authorities responsible for road safety. RoSPA called on the Government to set up a specialist public safety unit in the Department for the Environment but this was rejected. The Green Cross Code was launched and child casualties showed an immediate reduction. RoSPA continued to train the ever increasing number of road safety officers coming into post.
1972 Care on the Road magazine was launched. A thousand drivers took defensive driving training. Home safety was included in GCE courses. Tufty Club membership passed two million.
1973 Following pressure from RoSPA the Home Secretary set up a working party to look at ways of reducing drowning accidents. Mandatory speed limits of 50 mph caused by the energy crisis led to a marked reduction in road casualties. The Transport and Road Research Laboratory reported favourably on the value of the Tufty Club which now had 10,000 affiliated clubs.
1974 The Health and Safety at Work etc Act was passed, bringing into practice the recommendations of the Robens Committee. Local government re-organisation disrupted accident prevention work countrywide and RoSPA worked hard to fill the temporary gap while new authorities were being established. Record numbers of children passed the cycling proficiency test. Child cycling fatalities went below 100 for the first time since records began. Since the beginning of the national scheme in 1959 casualties fell 40 per cent. RoSPA co-ordinated National Farm Safety Year under the patronage of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
1975 RoSPA and the Safety Glazing Association made joint efforts to improve controls on glass installations. The three millionth child passed the cycling proficiency test. RoSPA supported the Seatbelt Bill.
1976 RoSPA Head Office moved to Birmingham. RoSPA welcomed the Green Paper on Consumer Safety which contained many of its recommendations. The Home Safety Officers Association was founded during the home safety conference. Concern grew at the increasing number of casualties among riders of two wheeled vehicles. The National Road Safety Committee called on the Government to establish a working party to find a solution. The Road Safety Advisory Group was established. World Safe '76 was held at the newly opened National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. The skateboarding craze gave cause for concern. The National Road Safety Committee joined with the National Safety Education Committee in calling for child seatbelts. Rolf Harris launched the annual water safety campaign. All MPs were sent a letter lamenting their apathy over the defeat of the seatbelt bill
1977 The Work Safe ''77 exhibition train took RoSPA to industry over a 2,000 mile route after being given a send off from London by Michael Heseltine MP. RoSPA called for implementation of the Blennerhassett Committee's recommendations on drinking and driving, compulsory basic training for motorcyclists and the introduction of tachographs. Barry Sheene helped the Society to promote the motorcycle training message. The Occupational Safety and Health Groups Advisory Council held its 100th meeting. The first national safety education conference was held in Harrogate. HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Luss Lifeboat station in Scotland to take part in the boat's maiden voyage. The boat was given to RoSPA to be used in that locality.
1978 RoSPA stepped up the campaign for compulsory wearing of seatbelts with a meeting at the House of Commons which was addressed by Jackie Stewart. Kate Adie reported on the Society's contest to encourage fashion students to use reflective fabric in their designs. RoSPA began using information from the Home Accident Surveillance System to target its advice more accurately to those having the accidents. RoSPA expressed concern at the delay in a Government response to the recommendations of the Working Party on Water Safety.
1979 HRH Princess Michael of Kent became the first president of the Tufty Club. Esther Rantzen spoke at the club's first conference. The Riskets cartoon strip was devised to promote accident prevention in a women's magazine.
|
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 |
 |