RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : Occupational Safety

New findings about occupational accident investigations suggest they need to be led by line managers rather than safety professionals, if they are to be fully effective, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed today. Emphasis needs to be placed on identifying underlying weaknesses in health and safety management systems, rather than on the more common practice of apportioning blame. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is organising a new series of courses aimed at cutting the number of accidents involving company car and van drivers. Designed for fleet, transport and health and safety managers, the training sessions are the latest phase of RoSPA’s campaign on Managing Occupational Road Risk (MORR). Delegates will receive a copy of Creating an Accident Free Culture by Ed Dubens to help them conduct a strategic review of their fleet’s risk profile. Full Story»

A court case in which two company directors were convicted of manslaughter is a warning to all fleet operators of the dangers of allowing drivers to spend too many hours at the wheel, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. The two haulage firm directors were accused at the Old Bailey of being "grossly negligent" in allowing their driver to spend more than 60 hours a week at the wheel - breaking the law on driving hours. He fell asleep and caused a fatal crash. Full Story»

Directors must lead by example to prove they take health and safety seriously, more than 70 business leaders will be told at a conference in London on Wednesday. Roger Bibbings, Occupational Safety Adviser for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said that more board-level directors had to be persuaded that health and safety was a strategic business issue. Full Story»

The Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents is celebrating after delegates scored a 100 per cent pass rate in a health and safety course run by the charity’s training department. All 12 of the delegates who took part in the National General Certificate for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) examination course passed first time, and many achieved credits due to the high standard of their entries. Full Story»

The future vision of Scotland’s occupational health and safety is the subject of a two-day conference in Glasgow, organised by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Topics up for discussion include stress at work, preparing young people for a life of work, and learning from accidents. Full Story»

The race is on for companies who transport dangerous goods by road or rail to appoint new qualified safety advisers to meet the December deadline set by the Government, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. The Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisers) Regulations 1999 came into force in March this year and state that a vocationally qualified safety adviser must be employed by December 31, 1999. Full Story»

Almost 870 businesses and organisations from across the UK are to be honoured by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for their outstanding safety records over the past year. The RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards, sponsored by RMC, once again attracted a record number of successful entries. The UK’s premier occupational safety award - the Sir George Earle Trophy - has been won by ScottishPower plc for its exceptional safety record. Full Story»

Bosses will be urged to put health and safety at the top of their business agenda during a national conference organised by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Congress 1999 will look at various issues, including health and safety for youngsters on work experience, managing stress at work, and motivating managers to tackle occupational health and safety. Full Story»

Many companies opt for a quick-fix approach after accidents, rather than carrying out thorough investigations which could save lives in the future, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. As part of its campaign to improve the situation, the Society published a discussion document in March 1998, and has been seeking views from major organisations. It has commissioned research at eight companies to look at good practices and policies. Full Story»