Working with other local networks

Groups are urged to make contact with other local health and safety networks to:

  • brief them on their activities (e.g. as a speaker at one of their events);
  • urge them to signpost companies to their local Group;
  • invite them to become Group members;
  • provide speakers for Group meetings; and
  • work on joint projects.

The following networks may be useful:

LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL

Learning and Skills Council Regional H&S Advisers and their teams of Health & Safety Advisers operate regionally to ensure that all learners are in a safe and supportive environment.

Details of regional managers and advisers can be accessed at http://www.safelearner.info/Contacts/ctc02.aspx?id=2

WORKPLACE HEALTH ADVICE SERVICES - available to small businesses

The Workplace Health Connect pilot service, for small and medium sized businesses in England and Wales, finished as planned on Thursday 21 February 2008.

Need help on workplace health?

Following the end of Workplace Health Connect, small and medium sized businesses in:

England: contact the HSE's Infoline for information and guidance
   
Scotland: contact the existing Safe and Health Working service.
   
Wales: contact the new Workboost Wales pilot project from March 2008
   
Milton Keynes: Small and medium sized businesses can contact the new Healthy Workplaces MK pilot project.

More information on the achievements of the Workplace Health Connect Pilot is available at: www.hse.gov.uk/workplacehealth/

NHS PLUS NETWORK

NHS Plus is a network, based in the NHS, of Occupational Health services for people at work.

The network is in an ideal position to provide -

  • Prompt advice by telephone on their occupational health needs;
  • rapid access to occupational health specialist teams;
  • appointments in local hospitals and health centres (reducing need for workers to travel, reducing workers’ time away from work); and
  • Site visits and provision of on-site services where facilities are appropriate.

Find your local service using the search facility at www.nhsplus.nhs.uk/web/public/Default.aspx?PageID=78

IOSH BRANCHES

The Institution of Occupational safety and health have branches around the UK.

Click on an area of the map at www.iosh.co.uk/index.cfm?go=branches.uk or use the branch list beneath the map to access information on branch websites, contacts, events and news.

HAZARDS GROUPS

The Hazards Campaign is a national network established in 1988, financed by donations from supporting groups and individuals.

It draws together hazards centres, occupational health projects, health and safety groups, safety reps networks and Trades Union Councils' Safety Committees, specific campaigns and individual health and safety activists.

The hazards website  (www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/direct/dirindex.htm) lists  organisations which provide support to people and groups working on health and safety issues. They include worker and community resource centres, occupational health projects, victim support groups, specialist campaigns, local trade union councils and committees, etc.

RoADAR GROUPS

RoSPA’s  Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR) aims to reduce road accidents by encouraging an interest in road safety, by improving driving standards, knowledge and skill.

RoADAR has over 52 local groups that will provide free training to help drivers and riders to improve their driving skills and prepare them to take the ultimate Advanced Test.

The whereabouts of Groups can be accessed at  www.roada.org/groups/groups0507.pdf

LASER SCHEMES

Learning About Safety by Experiencing Risk (LASER) is a powerful interactive approach to safety education.

RoSPA co-ordinates a community of interactive safety education schemes around the country which provide opportunities for school children and other members of the community to learn about safety and the prevention of injury in realistic settings.

Schemes focus primarily on Home, Travel, Leisure and Personal Safety.

Participants are able to learn how to deal with potential accident hazards by working in small groups in a controlled and supervised environment. Scheme locations can be identified via www.lasersafety.org.uk/schemes/index.htm.

IIRSM

The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) is a professional body for health and safety practitioners. It was created to advance professional standards in accident prevention and occupational health throughout the world.

As an independent registered charity, they work closely with other health and safety organisations.

For more information see the IIRSM website www.iirsm.org

POOSH

Professional Organisations in Occupational Safety & Health, POOSH exists to promote the continuous improvement of the practice of occupational safety and health through education, communication and the encouragement of cooperation between all persons and agencies involved in the provision of a healthy and safe working environment.

For more information see the POOSH website www.poosh.org/