RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 2004

Following a week of drowning tragedies and with more hot weather forecast over the weekend, RoSPA is urging people wanting to cool off to go to a supervised swimming pool or supervised beach. At least three youngsters have drowned in the last few days and the Society fears there will be more deaths unless people heed the warnings not to swim in inland open waters such as ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and canals. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging the House of Commons to support a Bill tomorrow (Tuesday) that could save 450 deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s road each year. Nigel Beard MP is introducing a Ten-Minute-Rule Bill that would bring lighter evenings all year round. RoSPA says his plan to move clocks forward by an hour throughout the year would be a positive move for road safety. Full Story»

RoSPA has produced a new journey planner to help bosses keep their drivers safe at the wheel, as figures show nearly 1,000 people a year are killed in work-related road accidents. Driving is now recognised as the most dangerous thing that most people do as part of their job. About 20 are killed and 250 seriously injured every week in crashes involving someone on the road for work purposes. Full Story»

The number of accidental drownings in the UK has fallen for the third year running, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident revealed today. But as the Bank Holiday weekend approaches, RoSPA is concerned that tragedies will increase again unless people heed warnings to swim only at properly supervised swimming pools and beaches. Next weekend is traditionally a peak time for drownings. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has given away almost £3,000 in safety courses, following a free draw on its stand at the recent Safety and Health Expo 2004, held at the NEC in Birmingham. Full Story»

Businesses and charities employing less than 100 staff, and which have no full-time health and safety adviser, can improve their health and safety awareness, procedures and management by winning free professional RoSPA Health and Safety Training. The Esso-sponsored Health and Safety Scholarship programme is now in its 11th year and is open to organisations throughout the United Kingdom. Organisations keen to win a scholarship have to complete a short application form, explaining why they would most benefit from the training. Full Story»

Three experts in the world of safety have been rewarded for their valuable contribution to health and safety in the workplace. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has given them Distinguished Service Awards for their outstanding achievements. The winners are from the West Midlands, Portsmouth and Northern Ireland. They were presented with their awards at a ceremony at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel last week. Full Story»

Palmer and Harvey McLane Ltd of Hove have won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents trophy for managing occupational road risk for the second year running. P&H have halved their accident rate in recent years. Full Story»

Nearly 400 businesses and organisations from the UK’s construction and construction engineering industries have been honoured by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for their outstanding safety records over the past year. In total, the industries claimed three Order of Distinction awards, 27 President’s awards, 53 gold medals, 210 gold, 49 silver, 28 bronze and 21 merit awards. Full Story»

FMC Technologies Ltd of Dunfermline have won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents premier occupational health and safety accolade – the Sir George Earle Trophy. The award was presented last night (May 12) at RoSPA’s Occupational Health and Safety Awards ceremony, sponsored by RMC Group plc, at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel. Full Story»