It’s show time

The inaugural Health & Safety Midlands event will take
place at The National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
on the 12th and 13th of September 2012

The latest in the series of regional
events will provide visitors with
information, insights on
industry trends, the latest legislation,
health and safety case studies, plus, the
opportunity to meet the industry’s most
highly respected organisations and the
chance to network with other
professionals.

Neal Stone, director of policy and
communications for the British Safety
Council will chair the conference
programme on 12th September while
Joscelyne Shaw, head of policy and
influencing, will chair on the 13th.

Insight into the HSE’s
expectations
The educational programme, which is
authored by the British Safety Council and
is designed to be as valuable as any paid
for conference, will be covering the latest
news and legislative updates. Opening the
programme will be Rosi Edwards,
regional director, Wales, Midlands and
South West, HSE, whose presentation is
entitled ‘What HSE is – and isn’t – looking
for from duty holders’. Commenting on
her presentation Rosi said: “I am looking
to explain what the HSE is and – as
importantly – isn’t looking for in its
interaction with people. Businesses need
to concentrate on what is important for
them to be successful as a business and
hopefully this seminar will help them
focus on the issues that matter from a
health and safety standpoint.”
Her presentation will refer to the
guidance issued by the Institute of
Directors in relation to the HSE and
although the seminar is not just for
directors (it will also benefit health and
safety professionals who want to
communicate with directors) it does
however discuss why directors need to
know what is happening in their business
and how to gain this knowledge through
honest and open communication with
staff.

Focus on directors’
responsibilities
Another presentation which covers
current trends is, ‘Directors in the Dock-
Could it be you?’ delivered by Chris
Green the lead partner of Weightmans
LLP. The seminar is aimed at all
employers in the industry as well as health
and safety practitioners and will cover
enforcement and inspection of safety in
the coalition era; charging for inspectors,
common sense safety and the procedures
for appealing enforcement notices. Chris
said: “I’m hoping to give employers a
better insight on their duties and
responsibilities when it comes to health
and safety within the company and give
them a heads up on what to look out for.

The perception is that health and safety is
being enforced disproportionately judging
by some of the recent media headlines.

People are now less likely to volunteer for
a health and safety role due to this, and so
with this seminar I’m hoping to straighten
out any uncertainties an individual may
have within their job role.”
A fascinating insight on traditional
communication methods is promised in
the presentation ‘Designing and delivering
high impact health and safety
communication campaigns” delivered by
Neil Budworth, corporate health and
safety manager, E.ON UK. His seminar
will explore the theory behind
communication design and the different
approaches to communicating about a
particular issue. “I want to address how
communication is structured,” says Neil.

“Most people know things in relation to
their health, for example the five a day
message. But, what does it take to make
people think and change their behaviour?
I want to talk about how to move people
along the journey,” he added.

Practical presentations
As well as the British Safety Council
programme there are other, more
practical, seminars taking place across the
two-day event. For example visitors will
be able to see the likes of NQA, with its
presentation entitled ‘Using Auditor
Training to Achieve Certification to
OHSAS 18001’. Delivered by Andrew
Burns Warren, health & safety auditor and
Jonathan Wilson, health & safety sector
manager, NQA, the presentation will
cover the process that an auditor goes
through to become firstly an internal
auditor and then a lead auditor. It will also
briefly cover the background of OHSAS
18001 and look at why companies
implement a health and safety
management system looking at some
potential pitfalls and structures.

Dedicated Cleaning and
Hygiene Zone
The new ‘Cleaning and Hygiene Zone’,
will provide the latest information for
health and safety professionals who are
also responsible for specifying and
purchasing cleaning products and
services.

Health and Safety Midlands has
partnered with ISSA for the ‘Cleaning and
Hygiene Zone’, and the ISSA will lead the
zone’s educational programme, which will
feature the presentation entitled ‘Cleaning
for Health: The Critical Role That Good
Cleaning and Hygiene Practice Plays in
Health & Safety Matters’, delivered by
Keith Baker, director of EMEA Services,
ISSA and Andrew Dunning, ISSA Europe
Vice Chairman & Board Representative,
UK. In addition there is the “Live
Demonstration Zone”, offering visitors the
chance to see up close how new product
technologies can dramatically improve the
safety of your workforce, improve worker
comfort and therefore reduce costs and
enhance productivity.

Alongside event partners 3M, Ansell,
Arco, NQA and DuPont, Health and
Safety Midlands is supported by the
British Safety Council and Safety Groups
UK and officially endorsed by the
International Institute of Risk & Safety
Management (IIRSM). Health and Safety
Midlands is free to enter and has free
parking but it is highly recommend that
visitors register in advance to facilitate
speed of entry and for guaranteed seminar
places as these are extremely popular.

To register online or access the full
conference programme timetable visit:
www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk