RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

January 18, 2006
NEW ORGANISATION TO BOOST LOCAL WORKPLACE SAFETY

A new organisation aiming to become a key player in the UK health and safety system will be launched next week.

Safety Groups UK is being formed out of the National Health and Safety Groups Council, a body representing around 80 community-based groups which give advice to small and medium sized businesses in their area.

Kerry Ross, chairman of Safety Groups UK, said: “In the past the groups have been one of the country’s best kept secrets. Made up of representatives from local businesses they provide low-cost health and safety help through such things as seminars and advice lines.

“The decision has been taken to relaunch the national co-ordinating body with a new name and a new mission. The aim is to ensure the health and safety groups are key players in the UK health and safety system and in the delivery of UK health and safety strategy.

“We are signing a partnership agreement with the Health and Safety Executive and the HSE is funding a consultant to help us both to achieve our aims. A work plan will be developed to raise awareness about the groups and to widen their programmes and increase membership.

“The more we can reach out to small businesses in local communities the more influence we will have in creating a safer workplace.

“We want to help groups to focus on HSE priorities such as slips, trips and falls, falls from height, workplace transport, stress and musculoskeletal disorders. Safety Groups UK is also leading a special project on occupational skin disease called ‘Derm at Work’.

“It is hoped to build up regional representation on the management committee to reflect views from around the country.”

David Eves, former Deputy Director General of HSE, will launch Safety Groups UK, at 10.30am on Thursday, January 26, at Water UK, 1 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9BT. Members of the Press are welcome to attend.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents supports Safety Groups UK, provides its secretariat and hosts its website www.safetygroupsuk.org.uk .