RoSPA in the Forties
1940 The Ministry of Labour and National Service paid the Association to provide an accident prevention service to industry. The Ministry of Information commissioned the Association to produce posters about road risks in the black out. The research section produced analysis of road accidents as the Government suspended its work on this. A branch office was opened in Cheltenham to which some staff and records were transferred.
1941 The Association changed its title to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with the agreement of the King. A 10 day training course for industrial safety officers proved so popular that a series had to be organised. Posters were displayed at Civil Defence Action Stations. Accidents to children were a particular concern. The Armed Services sought help with reducing road accidents among their personnel.
1942 Sixty two different industrial safety poster designs were issued and more than 550,000 copies distributed. They were also sent to America for display in the New York Museum of Modern Art. The road safety campaigns reduced the deaths in the black out by 24 per cent. More than 150,000 drivers were enrolled in the safe driving competition but had to make do with paper certificates instead of medals due to the shortage of metal. A child safety campaign cut fatalities by 23 per cent on the previous year. RoSPA devised the Kerb Drill for children.
1943 A special section was set up for industrial safety officers prior to them becoming an Institute in their own right. The improvement in the road accident situation continued. Seven accident prevention organisers were appointed around the country. A safety training exhibition was staged in London.
1944 A factory site hazard spotting competition attracted 100,000 entrants. Traffic movements connected with D Day led to a sharp rise in road casualties, particularly among children. The Kerb Drill was published in Welsh.
1945 Local authorities began to take over road safety work from the local safety committees. The first National Safety Congress since 1939 was held with 700 delegates. Work began with the British Standards Institution for safety standards for fireguards.
1946 Many industrial safety exhibitions toured the regions. The war time arrangement with the Ministry of Labour came to an end and membership arrangements reverted to pre-war status. More safety officer training courses were organised.
1947 More than 1,100 road safety committees were now in existence. The Cycling Proficiency Scheme was begun. An Industrial Groups Advisory Council was set up. For the first time in 21 years road fatalities were fewer than 5,000. RoSPA was represented on the Government's new Interdepartmental Committee on Home Safety.
1948 The Home Office made a grant of £2,000 for five years for home safety work. There was great concern over the growing numbers of children suffocating. RoSPA produced the Building Regulations Handbook containing all the safety legislation affecting building operations. It was so popular that a second edition was needed within three months. RoSPA House was opened as a training and exhibition centre.
1949 A national conference was held for road safety organisers of which there were now more than 300 in post. There were 237,000 commercial drivers in the Safe Driving Competition. Disney characters were used on child safety posters. HRH Princess Elizabeth visited RoSPA House which attracted 18,500 visitors in its first year.
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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