RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 2002

A record 1,000 businesses and organisations are to be honoured at next month’s RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards. Most of the awards, sponsored by RMC Group plc, will be presented at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC on May 15 and 16. Full Story»

Visitors to RoSPA’s stand at Safety and Health Expo 2002 will not only learn how to beat stress in the workplace, they will also be given a relaxing massage to help them enjoy the rest of the show. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is one of the major exhibitors at the event at the NEC, Birmingham May 13-16. As well as promoting its renowned training courses and consultancy services, RoSPA staff will be explaining the importance of relaxation. Full Story»

DIY mania is set to sweep Britain again this weekend as thousands of ill-prepared householders begin repairing their homes after the ravages of winter. But as Easter signals the start of the home improvement season, it also heralds a steep increase in the number of people attending hospital as a result of DIY jobs that have gone wrong. Full Story»

Businesses are to be told that to be successful they need to raise the status of health and safety to the level of a key business performance issue. That message will be the key theme of RoSPA’s national Health and Safety at Work Congress at the NEC, Birmingham, May 13-16, 2002. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today welcomed news that the Republic of Ireland is to outlaw the use of hand-held phones while driving. RoSPA hopes the move will strengthen the case for a similar ban in the United Kingdom. Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: “Many countries in Europe and around the world have introduced a ban in the interests of road safety, and we hope the UK follows Ireland’s example very soon.” Full Story»

New ways to persuade people and organisations to work together to fight the menace of home accidents will be explored at a conference planned by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Every year about 4,000 people are killed in the UK as a result of an accident in the home and more than 2.8 million seek medical assistance. Full Story»

Following the inquest into the deaths of two pupils on a river walk in North Yorkshire, RoSPA has called for tighter controls on schools and teachers organising trips. The Society said it did not want to see such activities banned as they may even help to educate children about risk. Full Story»

A graduated driver-licensing scheme could be the answer to tackling Britain’s biggest road accident problem – young drivers, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents national road safety congress will be told next week. Experts will hear how, under a successful project in Australia, drivers under 25-years-old have to have 42 months driving experience and pass four tests before being given a full licence. No one under 20 can gain a full licence. Full Story»

Ways to make the next generation of motorists safer drivers will be explored at a conference organised by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents next month. RoSPA will also be investigating ideas to improve the driving of those already on the road when it holds its national road safety congress – Safer Driving: The Road To Success. It is being staged, in association with Britax, at the Stratford Moat House, Stratford-upon-Avon, March 4-6. Full Story»

Safety-conscious companies from Wolverhampton, Slough and Fort William have been presented with a prestigious award by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Esso Petroleum Company Ltd. The three winners of the RoSPA/Esso Scholarship attended a ceremony at the House of Lords yesterday. They were: Donald McGregor, Managing Director of the Underwater Centre, Fort William; Malcolm North, Health and Safety Co-ordinator of Wolverhampton steel firm, Fellows; and Alan Hunt, a Leading Plant Operator for Slough Heat and Power. Full Story»