RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
January 30, 2003
REWARD FOR LOCAL GROUPS PROMOTING WORKPLACE SAFETY
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has honoured local groups that have helped to make the workplace safer.
RoSPA has 80 occupational safety groups around the UK made up of employers, health and safety inspectors and trade unionists. They meet regularly to pool ideas and provide support for one another.
The Alan Butler Memorial Awards for Excellence, sponsored by BT, recognise the work of the leading performers during the year.
Lord Walker of Doncaster presented the 2002 winners with their certificates at the House of Lords yesterday (Wednesday, January 29). Winners in all categories received £200, except for communications where the award was £300.
The awards went to: Northern Ireland Safety Group - best programme for large groups; Isle of Wight Health and Safety Group - best programme small groups; Swansea and West Wales Occupational Safety - best seminar large groups; Wiltshire Occupational Safety and Health Association - best seminar small groups; Kent Industrial Safety Group - best European Week event; and Scottish Borders Safety Forum - best communications.
Large groups are those with 65 or more members. Small groups have less than 65 members.
Roly Buss, awards co-ordinator for the National Health and Safety Groups Council, said: “This scheme recognises the high standards of work achieved by the groups. They have an important role to play at a local level in promoting good health and safety practice in the workplace.
“They often provide an opportunity for large organisations to share their expertise with smaller neighbours and some have Safety Information Centres to give free help and information to small firms.”
Local contacts are: Northern Ireland – Linda Spence 028 9336 8928; Isle of Wight – Diana Ward 01983 863673; Swansea and West Wales – Ann Jones 01792 205051; Wiltshire Occupational Safety and Health Association – Linden Ruskin – 01249 654109; Kent Industrial Safety Group – Peter Siers 01732 850749; Scottish Borders – Neal Robertson 01896 661246.
