John Woodward to speak about Hidden Killers at IOSH event in October

We've had it confirmed that our very own John Woodward will be a speaker at the IOSH event entitled "Building a healthier workforce for the future," which is being held in October. His talk will be on "Hidden Killers."

The event covers a whole day, beginning at 8am on October 12th and running until 4pm. The location is Millwall Football Club, The Den, Zampa Road, London, SE16 3LN.

The even is described as follows by the IOSH:

"These risk management solutions will be presented by knowledgeable speakers with experience in these topics, and the event will include a selection of workshops and exhibitors.

Construction activities, even on a small scale, present a number of risks to those carrying out the work, as well as challenges to those commissioning, supporting or managing that work. It has also been identified that when construction workers are harmed at work, there are often associated health consequences.

This seminar will present the latest insights and information relating to the management of these risks."

Who should attend?
- anyone with the responsibility for, or an interest in, occupational safety and health
- all employees looking to promote a positive safety and health culture
- those responsible for commissioning and/or managing construction work, as broadly defined
- anyone undertaking construction work.

The cost of attending is as follows:
- IOSH members: £75 + VAT (£15) = £90
- Non-members: £90 + VAT (£18) = £108
- Full-time students: £55 + VAT (£11) = £66

For more details and to book your place, please visit the IOSH event page, alternatively ring the Bookings team on +44 (0)116 257 3197.

Just how risky is construction dust? The IOSH and CITB reveal all

The IOSH and CITB have jointly released a new survey covering the risks of on-site dust and how to control them.

The key findings of the survey are as follows:

- a lack of priority given to this issue by companies
- poor awareness of the risks among workers
- little attempt to design out dust risks
- a poor understanding and use of on-tool extraction
- an over-reliance on respiratory protective equipment as the main form of control
- a lack of awareness about face-fit testing
- inadequate management arrangements to control dust
- poor worker compliance with the arrangements that are in place
- a lack of worker consultation

The 52-page survey entitled "Construction dust" is available to download and read from the CITB website.

Envirocare has also written an excellent article summarising the survey and the controlling of risks on a day-to-day basis. It's well worth your time to read.

Jane White from IOSH talks skin cancer and construction sites

We've been talking recently about working outdoors and the importance of protecting yourself against the sun. There's over 240 cases of melanoma cases as a result of sun exposure while working every year.

Demo Talk Radio focused on these dangers for Episode 3 of their podcast, and they had an interesting and eye-opening discussion with Jane White, Head of Research and Information Services at IOSH. The pdocast is well worth your time to listen to.

Course reminders: Demolition and Asbestos Safety Awareness

There are three courses with places still available happening over the course of the next week or so. They are as follows:

Demolition and Asbestos Safety Awareness
Halesowen, Birmingham Saturday 21st March

Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
26th March

Demolition and Asbestos Safety Awareness
Birkenhead, Saturday 28th March

For further details please email Stuart at stuart@demolishdismantle.co.uk

No Time To Lose

Ask your average site worker or contractor to name half a dozen occupational hazards and you can be fairly confident they would be able to do so. You could probably bet that the usual suspects of trips and slips, working at height and asbestos etc. would be in the list of just about all those questioned.

But what about the issues that don’t immediately spring to mind, what about, for instance, occupational cancer?

Cancer caused by work claims 666,000 lives a year worldwide – that’s one death every 47 seconds. IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign, launched this month, aims to get the causes of occupational cancer better understood and help businesses take action.

At a recent launch event in Westminster many of the industry big players got together with household name cancer charities to raise awareness of the issue and to establish a collaborative effort to tackle workplace cancers.

Find out more about the campaign, see how you can get involved, and download free resources at www.notimetolose.org.uk

Skin Cancer – Sun Safety in Construction presentation on April 3rd

On Thursday, 3rd April the IOSH has funded a Skin Cancer - Sun Safety in Construction presentation.

It is being held at 2pm following a buffet lunch at 1:30pm at the following location:

Hollyfields Centre Club Ltd,
Woodacre Road,
Erdington,
Birmingham B4 0JT

Paul Madgwick, a PhD student in Applied Psychology at the University of Nottingham, and Jonathan Houdmont, a Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham, will both be speaking. Here's an overview of what is being covered:

"At Aprils meeting we will welcome Paul Madgwick Construction Health and Safety Manager and CDM Coordinator at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust along with Jonathan Houdmont Lecturer in Occupational Health Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

The presentation will give an overview of skin cancer, explaining the types of cancer and their UK prevalence as well as the level of under reporting and cost to the NHS. The occupational levels of skin cancer will be explained, as will the level of risk for different occupational sectors. A brief introduction to the aims and objectives of the Sun Safety in Construction project will follow.

The findings of the nationwide survey of construction workers on sun safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours will then be presented followed by the DVD based intervention and the findings of the intervention."

Both members and non-members can attend this presentation free of charge.

Source: iosh

IOSH CEO Rob Strange OBE says goodbye after 12 years

Rob Strange OBE, CEO of IOSH, has decided to step down after being CEO for 12 years and a part of the IOSH for 15 years.

Ian Smart, head of communications at IOSH said that during the time with Rob at the helm:

"The Institution gained a Royal Charter and attracted 15,000 members, to become the world’s largest professional body in health and safety. It established itself as the respected voice of the profession and strengthened its position as a market leader in training and events.

Rob would be the first to say this success has been one big team effort, involving members, staff and friends of IOSH, but his leadership made it possible. "

We wish Rob all the best in the future and look forward to welcoming Jan Chmiel into the role of chief executive in the near future.

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health request for support

Richard Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has got in touch and asked us to share the following important information and request to sign an e-petition:

Unfortunately, the Government plans to cut important guidelines that help employers to comply with health and safety laws. Organisations use the ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Approved Code of Practice’ (ACoP) to manage risk and prevent accidents, injury, illness and death in the workplace. But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants to replace this with non-approved guidance that lacks the same authority and assurance. IOSH believes this would be a mistake that could potentially cost lives and we strongly urge the DWP to improve and retain this much-valued ACoP.

We’ve now posted our first-ever e-petition on the Government’s website and if we reach 100,000 signatures, it triggers consideration and a possible debate in Parliament. Such a debate would draw attention to the issues and supporting MPs would get the opportunity to make the case for retention. To help secure 100,000 signatories, we’re encouraging our membership and all interested parties to sign-up. For more information about e-petitions, please see here.

So I would like to seek your support (and that of any interested family and friends) for our e-petition please. Signing is quick and easy and can be done by visiting http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46262. It just requires your name, address and email address.

If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Many thanks for your support.

But could it have all been different? IOSH seminar

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has announced a seminar aimed at health and safety practitioners, facilities managers, occupational health practitioners and other professionals with the responsibility for accident prevention, investigation and behavioural change.

It has been titled "But could it have all been different?" and will deal with the important health and safety issues relating to accident prevention and behavioral safety, and will provide advice and information on developing a positive safety culture within a workforce.

The seminar includes key informative and motivational speakers, and will be spearheaded by Ken Woodward OBE, who will deliver a keynote session highlighting the horrific workplace accident in which he lost his eyesight and sense of smell and taste.

The seminar is taking place at the Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire on the 2nd February. IOSH members only have to pay £102 inc. VAT, non-members pay slightly more at £117.60 inc. VAT.

For more information and booking details visit the IOSH website.