RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 2004

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has produced a new guide to help the media with road safety issues when making television programmes and advertisements or when writing stories. RoSPA often receives complaints from members of the public and local authorities about the way in which road users are portrayed on television or in print. Full Story»

A survey by RoSPA has revealed that over 95 per cent of new teachers have not undergone risk assessment training and were unaware of the need for conducting risk assessments in and outside the classroom. A further 74 per cent of respondents to the questionnaire had not received any health and safety training as part of their induction to a school. Full Story»

As weather forecasters predict a heat-wave over the weekend and the following days, RoSPA is urging children on school holidays not to swim in inland open waters such as rivers, lakes, streams, canals or quarry pool. Hot weather sadly often brings drowning tragedies as children go to local water sites to play and cool off. They do not realise the dangers attached to these places and believe it is safe to swim there. Over the past two months there have already been at least five youngsters who have drowned. Full Story»

Scottish businesses and organisations wanting to keep their employees safe and fit for work will be able to learn from the experts at a major event organised by the Royal Society from the Prevention of Accidents. The RoSPA Scotland Safety and Health at Work Congress Learning, Sharing, Moving Forward, sponsored by ESS, will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, on September 15 and 16. Full Story»

New figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reveal a 20 per cent increase in the number of UK nationals drowning abroad. As the peak holiday season approaches, RoSPA fears the problem will continue to grow unless people heed safety warnings. In 2003, 73 UK nationals drowned abroad, an increase of 13 on the previous year. Seventeen were under the age of 18 and nine of those were under ten. Full Story»

RoSPA launches a new course in September offering one of the highest qualifications for health and safety professionals. The new National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health Level 4 Diploma replaces the existing NEBOSH Diploma 1 and 2 course. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is looking for the best ways to persuade people to take extra driver training in the years after they have passed their test. Refresher training helps people to improve their driving and reduce the likelihood of crashing, but little is known about why most people never bother to take such courses. Full Story»

Following recent shock figures showing road deaths in Great Britain are at their highest level for six years, RoSPA is seeking speakers who may have answers to the problem. The subject of the Society's national road safety congress next year will be Driving Deaths Down, and RoSPA wants to hear from accident prevention experts with ideas that could make a difference to the statistics. Full Story»