It's show time

Until the launch of the Health & Safety Scotland event last year, it had been difficult for Scottish professionals to gain direct access to the highest quality of independent safety information, health and safety product manufacturers and service providers without having to travel long distances.Taking place once again at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on the 7-8th September 2011, Health & Safety Scotland returns, allowing visitors to fulfil all their safety-related sourcing needs, gain access to valuable knowledge, the opportunity to meet the industry's most respected organisations and network with other professionals. Here,Health and Safety Matters looks at the latest news on the event

With its combination of relevant, informative seminars and the range of first-class exhibitors, Health & Safety Scotland is an important event for any professional who has responsibility for health and safety. This year's free conference has again been compiled in partnership with the British Safety Council. The programme encompasses the diverse range of working environments in Scotland, from the offshore industry to construction, and all content is completely new and unique to Health & Safety Scotland.

The two day event will be officially opened by Director of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Scotland, Dr. Paul Stollard. With over 25 years' experience in the safety industry, Dr. Stollard is a leading authority on health and safety issues and in addition to opening the event, he will also give a the keynote presentation entitled 'Good Health and Safety, Good for Business in Scotland' which will give an overview of the Health and Safety challenges facing Scotland.

Spotlight on consultants
On day one, Donna Hutchison, director of operations, QuEnSH Specialists Limited, will deliver a seminar entitled 'Health and Safety Consultants - What Do They Actually Do? This presentation will look at the role of the health and safety consultant and how businesses ensure that they are getting value for money. Donna aims to incorporate a light hearted session with some insightful advice to organisations about the role of a consultant, the expectations an organisation should have and how those expectations can be defined as well as methods to pick out the "wheat from the chaff” when it comes to selecting a consultant. The seminar requires audience interaction and participation - so come prepared with questions! Also on day one Marion Lamb, chief executive, Glasgow Housing Authority will be delivering the seminar entitled 'The Management of Complex Risks'. The presentation will be an insight into how a major public sector organisation approaches the management of health and safety, the challenges they face and also the successes achieved.

When it comes to the workplace, safety should not be restrictive but be a positive approach to good business management. That's why Health & Safety Scotland, will be holding, as part of its conference a seminar entitled 'Safety is a “Can- Do” Business' aimed at anyone with responsibility for health and safety in their business. Delivered by Ken Smith, Divisional Director Consultancy Services from Arc Associates, the seminar will challenge the misconceptions and discuss the benefits of doing safety right to avoid any risks. Ken Smith says, “Safety should not be restrictive but be concerned with a positive approach to good business management; it isn't about can't do but can do!”

Legal update
As always the seminar subjects are topical and in tune with current issues and will provide information and advice for all participants. A perfect example of this is shown on day two of the event with the seminar entitled 'Legal Update - Relevant Developments in H&S Law'. The seminar will give an update on health and safety law in Scotland and will appeal to those who work in any sector. Presented by Laura Cameron, Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution (Scotland & NI), McGrigors LLP, the presentation will include a review of legal developments over the past 12 months including consideration of the first prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act and a round-up of fines imposed around the country for Health and Safety Offences.

In addition, Ian Tasker, Assistant Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress Occupational will be hosting the seminar entitled 'Health and Safety- The Recession and Economic Recovery'. The presentation aims to focus on the impact that the recession has had on health and safety of workers and those made redundant and the ability of the enforcement authorities to continue to carry out meaningful enforcement.

Worker involvement
Another seminar, 'People Support What They Help Create', which is being held on day two of the event will take a look at how higher worker involvement in an organisation can help improve health, safety and business performance. In this presentation delivered by Nigel Bryson, Director, Bryson Consulting, practical measures are identified to improve worker involvement to assist organisations become safer, healthier and more efficient. Health and Safety Executive has estimated that a massive 60% of employers in Great Britain do not even adequately consult their employees.

Something slightly different for the Scotland event this year is the new dramabased presentation entitled 'Safety Leadership and Culture' delivered by Shaun Curry and Harry Gallagher of Macnaughton McGregor which promises to be interactive, practical and effective.

The organisers of the presentation say their style of programmes effect a longterm change in attitude - not just a short term change in behaviour - and help to build lasting positive cultural change. Their session promises to be powerful, effective and enjoyable.

Demonstration zone returns
The HSM Demonstration Zone will also feature at Health and Safety- Scotland. The Demonstration Zone, which is sponsored by market leading machinery safety specialist Laidler Associates, is a dedicated area that will run five live presentations daily and provide a comprehensive range of practical safety advice that is relevant to many industries.

In addition to the seminar programme, there are also some of the biggest names in health and safety exhibiting at theevent. Major equipment providers, service providers and distributors from all areas of health and safety are well represented.

Latest products and services
Uvex, the award-winning UK market leader in safety equipment, will be unveiling and demonstrating its latest pioneering products at Health & Safety Scotland. Key attractions include uvex's leading-edge Superfit spectacle and Classic Mask combination and its Pheos safety spectacle. The combined Superfit safety spectacle and face mask is a compatible duo designed to neatly dovetail together, providing in one fell swoop a high level of comfort for the wearer, as well as protection from many potential eye and respiratory workplace hazards, in a wide variety of industries and working conditions.

Wearing both safety eyewear and respiratory protection simultaneously enhances the performance of each individual product function. The combined ergonomic design and shape of the mask and curvature of the lens ensure that both eye and face gaps are sealed effectively so that the wearer achieves a perfect seal on the face. The thinness of the Superfit lens and reduced weight of the spectacle ensures there is no pressure and movement on the mask and therefore avoids the potential of failure of the seal.

Also on show will be uvex's new midrange spectacle, the Pheos, which, despite its extremely competitive price, does not compromise on quality and carries all the top-of-the-range innovative design features and unrivalled anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings that uvex users worldwide have come to take for granted.

The core component of the stylish Pheos is its duo-spherical scratch-resistant and permanently coated anti-fog lens, which offers a wide field of unimpaired vision and optimum long-term visibility.

The snug-fitting frameless spectacle also features 100% UV protection, an integral brow guard, good ventilation through the side arms and high-performance hinges and can be comfortably worn with many other forms of PPE, such as ear muffs, bump caps and safety helmets.

Bollé Safety, a world leader in the design and manufacture of protective eyewear, will be launching the Atom at this year's exhibition, a new versatile, high impact protection safety goggle. The Atom is an extremely versatile, low profile goggle that has been tested and approved to meet the highest levels of impact protection, EN 166 1B, and also provides the wearer with protection against chemicals, dust and gases.

Available in both vented and sealed version the Atom has clear a anti scratch and anti fog optical class 1 polycarbonate lens with a wide adjustable strap for extra comfort. There is a prescription insert available but the Atom will also fit comfortably over prescription spectacles. Adding to the versatility the Atom is also available with an easy to attach visor and tear off lens protectors.

All Bolle products provide the wearer with protection, style, comfort and an exceptional field of view due to their lightweight design, advanced material technology and Bollé Safety's world renowned optical class 1 lens quality. And with all of the range of products from Bollé Safety they also offer you the customer excellent value for money. Along with event partners 3M, Ansell, Arco and Dupont, Health & Safety Scotland is supported by the British Safety Council, Safety Groups UK and is officially endorsed by the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM).

Health & Safety Scotland is free to enter, has free parking and it is highly recommend that visitors register in advance for entry tickets and especially for seminar places as these are extremely popular. With the outstanding combination of the seminar programme and the quality of the exhibitors, it makes this an event you don't want to miss. You can register online at www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk or by calling the event hotline on: 0870 4866816.