Free seminars at Health & Safety Event
British Safety Council to run programme of nine health and safety seminars at the NEC Birmingham
THE British Safety Council will be providing a programme of free seminars on the latest developments in health, safety and environmental law, policy and practice at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from 11–13 March 2014.
Taking place as part of the free-to-attend Health & Safety Event, nine seminars will be presented by experts in health, safety, environmental management and law over the three days, providing expert insights into important developments in the management and regulation of workplace health and safety and the environment.
On day one of the conference Jane Willis, director of cross-cutting interventions at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will explain some of the main developments in health and safety regulation and enforcement in light of the Government’s attempts to cut business red tape.
Day one will also see the first of three presentations by specialist lawyers on important developments in the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of those businesses and individuals who breach health and safety rules.
Mark Tyler, a solicitor at Salutaris Legal, will explain how organizations found in breach of health and safety law during site visits by HSE inspectors are now liable for the regulator’s investigation costs at a rate of £124 per hour, creating a significant financial incentive to ensure adequate management of heath and safety.
On day two, Kevin Bridges, a partner at Pinsent Masons law firm, will explain the significance of recent landmark health and safety prosecutions and key developments concerning the offence of corporate manslaughter.
On day three, Chris Green, partner and head of regulatory (Midlands) at Weightmans LLP, will conduct a mock trial featuring a prosecution following a fatal accident of a person while driving at work.
The seminars will also explore practical approaches that have been adopted by organizations to prevent the risk of workplace injuries and ill-health occurrences.
On day two, John Holt, health, safety and environmental director with power systems giant Rolls Royce, will explain how his company ensures excellent health and safety standards at its complex manufacturing and testing sites.
On day three, Steve Hailes, health and safety director for Crossrail, Europe’s largest railway and infrastructure construction project, will outline successful approaches to managing health and safety adopted on the giant project, and plans to create a lasting health and safety legacy for the global civil engineering sector.
The remaining presentations will be: ‘Good health: the benefits of investing in employee wellness – what the evidence shows’, by Susan Elston, vice-president of operations excellence Global Offshore & Marine, Sodexo Remote Sites (day one); ‘Preventing exposure to vibration from powered hand tools in construction, by Stewart McNaughton, health and safety consultant (HAVS) with Reactec (day two); and ‘Effective environmental and sustainability practices by business’, by Howard Dawes and Dr Keith Whitehead, senior environment consultants with the British Safety Council (day three).
