RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
June 24, 2002
POOR HEALTH AND SAFETY HITS SCOTTISH BUSINESSES
A conference is being arranged to show Scottish businesses why they are paying the penalty for not making good health and safety performance one of their key objectives.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that in Scotland, as elsewhere in the UK, failure to prevent injuries and health damage at work is imposing unacceptable costs on workers, their families and the wider community.
Too many Scottish businesses are still bearing the massive financial costs associated with occupational accidents and ill health, and they must work together to overcome the problem.
Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, said: “High standards of health and safety performance have to be a key objective if workers are to be protected and businesses are to succeed.
“One of the best ways to achieve this is to develop effective partnerships, whether at national or sector level or within individual businesses, to tackle the issues.”
This year’s RoSPA Scotland Safety and Health at Work Congress, in association with Scottish Power, will have the theme “Sharpening the Focus on Performance”. It will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, on September 11 and 12.
Speakers will examine how to measure occupational health and safety performance and discuss what progress has been made in revitalising health and safety in Scotland, 25 years after the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Norman Stevenson, Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager of Motherwell Bridge Holdings will talk about team-based learning from accidents. Angela Dunlop, Occupational Health Adviser for Scottish Equitable, will tackle reducing days lost through sickness absence.
Accidents involving people driving as part of their job are now recognised as Britain’s biggest occupational safety issue. Paul Richardson, Road Safety Manager, Lothian and Borders Police will explain why “Good Driving is Good Business”. Neil Wallace, Senior Engineer for the Highland Council, will look at safer driving on work sites.
There will also be sessions on changing corporate culture, insurance, employee involvement, mental well-being in the workplace and falls.
Congress booking/information: www.rospa.com/scotland or phone 0121 248 2120.
