Advice Pack for Smaller Firms
Sheet 10: Affiliated Health and Safety Groups
Why your company should be a member of your local group
RoSPA encourages all its members to join and support the work of their local occupational Health and Safety Groups.
The Groups, over 70 of which are affiliated to RoSPA, are voluntary non-profit making organisations.
Spread throughout the UK, they provide a self help mechanism for RoSPA member companies as well as being a means of promoting health and safety at work by reaching out to help other local businesses.
The main benefits of local Group membership include:
- regular contact with other companies' health and safety staff (managers, safety advisers, supervisors, safety representatives), local education establishments, business development bodies, local authority staff and representatives from the enforcement authorities - HSE inspectors, EHOs, the emergency services, safety product suppliers etc;
- maintaining current awareness of health and safety issues through a regular programme of invited speakers, occasional seminars and conferences, newsletters, company visits etc;
- access to lively discussion, debate and new ideas;
- the ability to share problems and expertise with others in similar situations; and
- enhancing company image both with other local businesses and the wider community.
How are the groups organised?
Membership of local Groups is open to industrial, commercial and other organisations as well as individuals on payment of a modest annual subscription (usually about £25 or less). Groups usually hold monthly (as well as other special) meetings in convenient locations.
Officers to run the Groups are elected at their Annual General Meetings. This is when programmes of meetings and other activities for the year are normally agreed. The Groups are voluntary bodies receiving support and sponsorship from member companies (and sometimes other sources), but the bulk of their work rests on the contributions and efforts of their members.
At a national level communication and co-ordination of the Groups is achieved under the umbrella of Safety Groups UK which meets quarterly (see also below). Most Groups are affiliated to RoSPA which, in turn, provides support in a number of ways, including servicing SGUK and coverage of Groups activities in its monthly journal, ‘OS&H’.
What are their objectives?
The main aim of the Groups is to provide a local forum for communication and discussion between employers, educational establishments, local authorities, trade unions, the Health and Safety Executive and other enforcement agencies. Some of the key objectives of Groups include:-
- promoting interest in, awareness of, and the need for accident and ill health prevention generally;
- providing a network for the dissemination of knowledge; and
- fostering a spirit of fellowship and cooperation at local level in all matters connected with occupational safety and health and working collectively to enhance the protection of people from workplace risks.
The role of the groups in the ‘health and safety system’
The first local Health and Safety Groups were originally established after World War I with the active support of the then Factory Inspectorate. During and after the World War II they grew in importance - with some Groups such as the Birmingham Health and Safety Association establishing the world's first industrial safety training centre (which later became RoSPA's skills training centre) and spearheading national campaigns such as that which culminated in the enactment of specific regulations.
Today, following over 25 years of the Health and Safety at Work Act, RoSPA is anxious to see the Groups develop further to assist other ‘key players’ in the ‘health and safety system’. These include not only employers, unions and enforcing authorities, but ‘intermediaries’ who have a vital role to play such as insurers, training bodies, business development organisations of all kinds, as well as professional and trade associations.
With the continuing trend towards more small firms (90 per cent of all UK businesses employ fewer than 50 people - accounting for nearly half the nation's workforce) the case for expanding the Groups is stronger than ever. In particular the Groups have a vital role to play to help implement the Government’s and the Health and Saferty Commission’s plans for ‘revitalising’ health and safety, for example, by cascading information and advice from HSE and other agencies down to businesses at local level.
They are intended to complement (and not cut across) other local networks such as local branches of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and to become a forum for support at local level for all those concerned with occupational accident and ill health prevention.
How are the groups resourced?
While the work of individuals in the Groups is totally voluntary, the groups themselves cannot function without modest sponsorship from member companies as well as other organisations, such as local authorities. In addition to paying an annual subscription, member companies are encouraged to provide support in a variety of ways including not only cash donations, and support for special projects, but by making the use of office and other facilities available (for example for administration, production of materials and meetings) as well as by allowing time for employees to attend group activities. Most members' involvement however is only to allow staff to attend meetings.
Examples of groups' activities
Meetings
The majority of Groups organise monthly meetings. In addition to their regular business, members receive presentations from top quality contributors including: Health and Safety Executive inspectors and specialists; health and safety professionals; medical experts; emergency service officers; trainers; and others with specific expertise. The aim of these sessions is to provide a means of briefing members and allowing an exchange of ideas and experience.
Social events
As part of their annual calendar many Groups organise social events (such as dinners, dances, receptions, visits etc.) to bring members together to enjoy themselves, make new contacts, renew old friendships and secure publicity and public recognition for the work they do.
Training sessions
An increasing number of Groups are organising health and safety training events for local industry and commerce - designed to help managers, safety representatives and other employees to develop their skills and knowledge in particular areas. Often such initiatives have been organised as a contribution to national events such as European ` Health and Safety Weeks'. Training sessions organised by Groups have proved a very effective mechanism for providing briefing on new legislation.
Keeping in touch
By sending a representative to the meetings of Safety Groups UK, Groups can keep in touch with the work of the Groups' Movement. In addition, RoSPA's monthly journal `Occupational Safety and Health' (which every member receives as part of their membership) includes, in each issue, news of recent Group activities, a listing of forthcoming meetings and local contact names and addresses. Details of Safety Groups UK activities are also reported.
How to find out more...
Companies, organisations or individuals wanting to find out more about the Groups should contact Safety Groups UK Secretary, Roger Bibbings, on 0121 248 2095, or email: rbibbings@rospa.com . Visit the Safety Groups UK Webpages www.safetygroupsuk.org.uk.
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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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