Health & Safety ‘10 South attracts the biggest names

Two of the most recognisable names in health and safety, Lawrence Waterman and Nattasha Freeman, will be heading up the free seminar programme at Health & Safety '10 - South, endorsed by the IIRSM, which takes place at Sandown Park in Surrey on the 23rd and 24th February 2010. Here HSM previews what the seminar programme has to offer.

Organised by the British Safety Council the seminar programme takes place across both days of the event and covers the most topical issues.

Starting at 9.45am on Tuesday 23rd February 2010, Lawrence Waterman will present a seminar entitled: 'How the Construction Industry is rising to the London 2012 challenge'. Perhaps the mos high profile figure in the safety sector, Lawrence is the head of health and safety for the 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Lawrence's seminar will discuss how - against the background of a complex site with a history of industrial use; in the centre of an urban area in need of regeneration; up against an immovable deadline and close public scrutiny - the ODA's supply chain is delivering on time, on budget and with a clear, relentless focus on health and safety.

Another high profile figure, Nattasha Freeman is the IOSH Immediate past president and a member of the IOSH Council. Her seminar, The Sustainability of the Health Agenda, will discuss sickness absence figures and highlight the most prevalent causes of work-related sickness absence. She will also talk about; presenteeism; barriers to return to work; the changing demographic of the working population and suggestions on proactive intervention and facilitating rehabilitation.

Amongst the other seminar highlights on the first day are: Mark Thomas: policy advisor, Slips, Trips & Falls Team, HSE who will be delivering a seminar entitled Slips and Trips: Can the Problem be Solved? Some Success Stories. Mark's presentation will cover the case for tackling slips and trips in the workplace and outline key issues that contribute to slips and trips, describe HSE action in these areas and detail available guidance.

Taking place on the second day, beginning at 9.45am, Malcolm Tullet: managing director, Risks and Safety Plus Ltd, presents the intriguingly titled Stop DOING Health and Safety. Malcolm is passionate about how businesses and organisations manage their risks and actively campaigns against more and more legislation that, he considers, simply protects people's backs. In his view, what we need are straightforward integrated processes that ensure that people are healthy and safe at work as a matter of course.

Also on the second day Nigel Bryson looks at the problematic area of Making Worker Involvement Effective. He believes that people support what they help create and that effective worker involvement improves both health and safety standards and business performance. Using examples from successful case studies, Nigel will present key methods and techniques for creating effective worker involvement. These can assist any organisation to improve their health and safety performance and workforce communication.

As well as the issue-based seminars there is also a programme of practical presentations that cover continuing health and safety problems in a straight forward way. Starting at 10.30am on the 23rd February, Ian Samson: training specialist (EMEA), DuPont Personal Protection looks at Dressing and Undressing Procedures for Chemical Clothing with other PPE. Ian's presentation will look at how to dress and undress (donning and doffing) chemical protective coverall while wearing other PPE such as gloves, footwear, respirators and half and full face masks .When dressing it is important to dress in the correct order and to check that all is correct before proceeding into the working environment. After leaving the working environment, it is important to undress safely as contamination from the work place can still be present.

On day two of the event, Jo Partridge will look at Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE): Selection, Use and Maintenance. Speaking about the issues she will be covering Jo said, “Correctly selected, well fitted RPE will help your employees stay protected. My intention during this seminar is to help you to make the most of your investment, get the level of protection you need and bring you up to date with current market guidance in this field.

For the full seminar programme please visit: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk To register in advance for any of the events please visit the website or call the event helpline on: 0870 4866816