RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
February 11, 2003
MINISTER TAKES THE HEALTH AND SAFETY LEAD FOR RoSPA
Nick Brown, the Government minister responsible for health and safety at work, will launch the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents national occupational safety congress in May.
He heads a list of influential speakers including George Cox, Director General of the Institute of Directors, John Edmonds, General Secretary of the GMB union, and Kate Timms, Deputy Director General of the Health and Safety Executive.
The four-day conference, in association with ScottishPower, will be held at the NEC Birmingham from May 19 to May 22 and has Strengthening the Team Approach as its theme.
Nick Brown, Minister of State for Work, will describe the progress achieved under the Government’s and Health and Safety Commission’s Revitalising Health and Safety at Work and Securing Health Together strategies.
The first day will also look at stakeholders and strategies, with George Cox promoting “real” team leadership and John Edmonds discussing the importance of the safety representative.
Day two will be about building a common commitment to safety and explores issues such as team-based learning from accidents and whistleblowing. Difficult topics such as tackling drink and drugs in the workplace will be part of the Securing Health Together theme of day three. The programme for day four is about Learning and Sharing and will look at the development of electronic health and safety business tools, sharpening safety training and improving education.
The messages will be supported by case studies to update delegates on the latest developments in the law and best practice.
Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, said: “The Government has a fundamental role to play in setting the health and safety agenda, but if improvements are to be made, good team work is vital at all levels.
“All employees in an organisation need to work with their colleagues on this issue. Businesses can only achieve better health and safety if they enlist the help of partners such as contractors, insurers, suppliers and trade associations.”
The event runs alongside Safety and Health Expo 2003 and the RoSPA occupational health and safety awards ceremonies. Congress booking line: 0121 248 2120 or visit www.rospa.com/shwcongress
