Do your staff drive company cars? - Safety Connections - Issue 51 RoSPA : The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Issue 51. 26th September 2007
Call: 0121 248 2233
Email: e-letter@rospa.com
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Do your staff drive company cars?

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and RidersIf so, your company could reap the rewards of a special bonus we are giving away

Here at RoSPA we are aiming to keep your staff safer on the road and will give those taking our on-road driver training, one year’s FREE associate membership of RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders.

The benefits will include up-to-the-minute road safety information and discounts on some products.

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders is an association that aims to reduce accidents by promoting an interest in road safety and improving driving standards, knowledge and skill. The scheme will spread the word about advanced driving to a wider audience, providing an opportunity to influence the families of fleet drivers as well.

The Fleet Associate Membership will apply to anyone taking on-road driver training through RoSPA’s Driver and Fleet Solutions Department from 1st October 2007.

Other benefits include:

  • Safety e-bulletins
  • Care on the Road magazine
  • 15% discount on breakdown cover with GEM Motoring Assist
  • 10% discounts on Halfords products and services

Click to find out more details of RoSPA’s driver training and to see more on RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders.

For more details please call 0121 248 2084 or e-mail fleetsolutions@rospa.com

RoSPA expresses concerns about product recalls

Mattel product recallsRoSPA is very concerned about the recent product recalls by Mattel, the world's biggest toy maker (who recently announced its third major recall of Chinese-made products in a month). In the past month Mattel has recalled 18 million China-made toys because their paint was found to contain lead.

RoSPA wrote for “Staying Alive” recently about its concerns over the number of RAPEX (European Safety Notifications) involving toys from China, and sadly these concerns appear to continue to be justified. On 7th September 2007 RoSPA met Malcolm Harbour MEP formally to report our concerns on this matter, in what was a highly productive meeting on product safety issues.

RoSPA welcomes the recalls as a safety measure.

The Barbie accessories contained in the latest recall include:

  • Dream Puppy House Playset (J9485) sold since 13 October 2006, because of the paint on the dog.
  • Dream Kitty Condo Playset (J9486) sold since 13 October 2006, because of the paint on the cat.
  • Couch & Table Living Room Playset (K8613) sold since 30 October 2006 because of the yellow flower on the handbag.
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Mattel has published details of all the items being recalled on its website, www.mattel.com. Anyone with any concerns about any products should go to the website for further information in the first instance.

Please click here for further information about product recalls in the UK.

Enhance your browsing experience

The RoSPA Web Site surveyRoSPA Web Site survey

Browsing the RoSPA web site should be an enjoyable, rewarding and informative experience. To ensure this is the case we would like to ask if you could spare a few minutes to take part in our RoSPA Web Site Survey.

By answering a short set of questions you will enable us to tailor the website to your needs, ensuring that RoSPA information and services are delivered in the most effective and accessible manner.

As a thank you for your contribution, we are offering a free one day RoSPA training course* or a free delegate place at one of RoSPA's one-day events* for two randomly selected respondents of this questionnaire.

Thank you in advance.

* choose from a range of courses or events, subject to availability

Your answer to in-house auditing

New in - house auditing systemNow, for the very first time, organisations that have their own suitably trained and experienced in–house safety auditors are able to capitalize on RoSPA’s safety auditing expertise.

Audit Answer is stand-alone safety audit software for use in your own workplace. This new software is extremely cost effective and flexible. This is not a paper-based audit, so the time taken to produce audits is significantly reduced and reports are automatically generated.

Audit Answer has a simple, elegant and functional interface and is based on an audit system, which has been in use for fifteen years and therefore comprises intellectual property that is unrivalled in breadth and depth.

Question-sets may be purchased at any time, and once purchased, can be used indefinitely. There is no requirement for re-licensing; once purchased they are yours to use as often as you wish.

Question-sets include:Audit Answer

  • Electricity at Work
  • Manual Handling
  • Asbestos
  • Lone Working
  • Planned Maintenance
  • Warehousing
  • Permits
  • Control of Contractors
  • COSHH
  • Clinical Waste. . . and many more

. . . a fully comprehensive safety audit tool!

Visit our web site for more information, alternatively please call 0121 248 2233 or email auditanswer@rospa.com.

Fire risk assessments - now compulsory

Compulsory Fire Risk AssessmentsThe new RoSPA two-day course, Fire Risk Assessment, has limited delegate places available on the 4th October 2007.

Changes in legislation mean it is now compulsory for companies to conduct suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments. This new course has been designed with the advice of a senior fire professional specifically to help you comply with these new laws.

Not to be missed by facilities managers and/or health and safety professionals, this course will help delegates learn the following:

  • The legal requirements
  • The costs associated with not managing fires
  • Typical sources of ignition and how fire spreads
  • The steps involved in fire risk assessment
  • How to carry out and record a fire risk assessment
  • How to review fire risk assessments

Contact a RoSPA Training & Consultancy representative to discuss your training needs and make a course booking by calling 0121 248 2233 or email training@rospa.com.

New Road Safety engineering course - Scotland

New Road Safety Engineering CourseRoSPA’s Road Safety Engineering (Accident Investigation & Prevention) course is now available in Edinburgh, both on a residential and non-residential basis.

The course, run in conjunction with our partners TMS, is designed for engineers and technicians working in local authorities, consultancies, overseas organisations, the Department of Transport and executive agencies. It is also suitable for road safety officers, police and armed forces officers and other professionals concerned with road safety.

It is recognised by the majority of employers and by the major professional institutions, and contributes to a delegate’s requirements for CET and CPD.

Week one of this 10-day course commences on 29th October.

For more details please visit our web site


Every business is a growing business
RoSPA Growing Business Safety Kit
RoSPA has an innovative tool to help all businesses get to grips with health and safety, particularly those targeting growth.

The Growing Business Safety Kit is a package that is designed to make health and safety management more straightforward and affordable. It covers a broad range of health and safety topics, and has different versions available to suit budgets and needs.

With a starting price of less than £200, the Growing Business Safety Kit is available by calling 0121 248 2233 or emailing training@rospa.com today.

National Home Safety Congress

Taking place in Cheltenham on Monday 12th - Tuesday 13th November in association with the Electrical Safety Council, RoSPA's 2007 Congress theme is 'Delivering National Agendas Through Local Partnerships'.

This event will look at Home Safety from both national and local perspectives, focusing on partnership initiatives that have been successful in meeting their objectives, and exploring the lessons that can be learnt from them.

Key topics covered will include:

  • Negotiating Equitable Partnerships
  • Rolling Out Good Practice Effectively
  • Methods of Evaluating Home Safety Activities
  • Exploring Methods of Collecting and Disseminating Data
  • Maximising Joint Funding Opportunities


The Congress represents an excellent opportunity to network with other professionals in the field, and has a varied and interesting programme of speakers, exhibitions, workshops and discussion tables.
For more information and booking details, click here or call the congress booking line on 0121 248 2120.


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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.

For more information on our products, or to obtain a catalogue, contact our sales department on 0121 248 2233 or email sales@rospa.com
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
Telephone: 0121 248 2000 Fax: 0121 248 2001 Email: help@rospa.com

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