Always reduce your speed smoothly and in plenty of time. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration, or coarse steering. Slow down in plenty of time for bends and corners. To brake on ice and snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use your brakes gently.

Black ice, caused when rain freezes on the road surface, will make your steering light. Respond by easing off the accelerator and being delicate with your steering movements. In icy conditions you may need to allow up to TEN TIMES the normal breaking distance.

Click here to read more winter driving tips

'It is a requirement that Police `investigate all incidents as unlawful killing until the contrary is proved`. Investigations into how and, more importantly, why collisions occur are frequently identifying failures in company policies and practices. Developments in Road Policing are increasingly likely to make such failures transparent to the courts.'
Chief Inspector Ian Brooks, Metropolitan Police Service

Take the first step to avoiding such failures with RoSPA’s Managing Occupational Road Risk one-day course. Book now for the January 2007 course and take advantage of the 2006 price freeze!

If the answer is yes then new regulations will apply to you from April 2007 – Are you ready for the changes?

The regulations will affect almost everybody who is involved in the planning and implementation of construction work from planning managers through to contractors. Don’t get caught out by the new regulations; book your place on RoSPA’s Construction (Design and Management) Regulations Briefing

Why pay costly travel and over-night expenses when quality training courses are available in your local area? The following courses are running in Newcastle in February 2007, but if you book before Christmas you can take advantage of 2006 prices!

IOSH Managing Safely Risk Assessment Accident Investigation Manual Handling Trainers and Risk Assessors

Call 0121 248 2233 to find out more and to reserve your place.

Shepherd Construction is a privately owned national construction company with a turnover approaching £400m.

We are looking for a Health and Safety Administrator to join our Safety Department based in York, who will be responsible for technical and administration assistance and analysis of various reports.

More information from www.shepherd-construction.co.uk

Join RoSPA before 1st December 2006 to benefit from the 2006 Membership fees. Read about the benefits and download your Membership form here

RoSPA has received enquiries from Members and customers on the extent, nature and effectiveness of bonus schemes designed to incentivise improved health and safety performance. 

To get a better idea of current practice we are conducting a short survey to gather data and opinions. We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Responses will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We are delighted to announce the finalist organisations who will be competing for the Allan Poole Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Behavioural Safety Conference on 6th December 2006:

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear ‘from the horse’s mouth’ how each finalist organisation has successfully integrated behavioural safety programmes with other health and safety management systems. The conference will offer the opportunity to gain expert advice on:

Management Commitment Behavioural Safety – An insurer’s perspective The effects of age and the potential incident involvement Stress in the workplace

Book your place today from as little as £149.00 plus VAT. For full programme details click here or call the booking hotline on 0121 248 2120.

Around 20 people are killed every year from carbon monoxide fumes from household gas appliances. Warning symptoms that people need to look out for include: boiler pilot light flames burning orange instead of blue; sooty stains on or near appliances; excessive condensation in the room; coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out; families suffering prolonged flu-like symptoms.

Earlier in the year RoSPA and Corgi joined forces to produce five hard-hitting short films, which feature people who have lost relatives, or who have poisoned themselves.

RoSPA's 'What is Silent, Invisible and Deadly?' publication is available at £25 for a pack of 100 to Non-Members and £21.22 for RoSPA Members. Click here to buy online

Organisations wishing to share their latest news with the safety community can contact us for details on adding their message to Safety Connections, or sponsoring an issue.

RoSPA is an independent charity and a uniquely comprehensive safety organisation. As a RoSPA Member you will be supporting our mission to save lives through preventing accidents in all walks of life. RoSPA Members also enjoy a range of benefits to help you to achieve your own safety goals, so join RoSPA today and see how we can help you.

You can also support RoSPA by arranging fundraising activities, or through a simple donation. RoSPA also have many sponsorship opportunities.