Numerous column inches in the UK and abroad were filled by positive stories on RoSPA’s call for children to have access to “wild” places to play.

Valuable life-long lessons, particularly about risks and how to deal with them, could be learned from play in the natural environment, and bumps and bruises were “part of growing up”, RoSPA's International Play Safety Conference heard on June 14.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA’s Head of Leisure Safety, said: “We need to ask ourselves whether it is better for a child to break a wrist falling out of a tree, or to get a repetitive strain wrist injury at a young age from using a computer or video games console. Parents and children must not be frightened about venturing outside.” 

Peter’s comments followed previous media reports that some parents were denying their children the chance to play outside by themselves, in part because of fears that they would get hurt.

Most of the UK’s national newspapers covered RoSPA’s views, with many online versions being followed by lengthy reader discussion threads. The vast majority of the coverage received was supportive of RoSPA’s position, with columnists and readers alike praising the Society’s common sense approach. 

View some conference coverage by visiting www.rospa.com/news/inthenews.htm and clicking on Google News or Yahoo News. 

See also Helen Wolley’s Conference paper on the important benefits of play in the natural environment.

Exclusive mentor package, excellent pass rates and key publications included in the price – there’s never been a better time to start studying towards your NEBOSH National Diploma.

Coming to RoSPA for your NEBOSH Diploma training not only ensures you will enjoy a superb learning experience delivered by highly-qualified trainers, but now you can also benefit from RoSPA’s exclusive Mentoring Package to support you through your studies.  Additionally you will receive a copy of the key Diploma textbooks for each unit of the course as part of the package.

Our next Diploma course starts in September 2007

More information on all NEBOSH courses is available here

Spotlight on Health Industries

Safer People Handling – Theatre Practitioners’ course

Over 5000 manual handling injuries* are reported each year in the care sector, half of which happen during the handling of patients, accounting for 40% of sickness related absence.

Are you confident you are doing enough?

RoSPA has successfully developed a full suite of well regarded safer people handling courses with delegates benefiting from first class training in our specialised People Handling Centre by industry experts. Recently added to our portfolio is our Theatre Practitioners’ course. Aimed at those with responsibility for safe moving and handling within operating theatres, this two day course enables delegates to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to move and handle safely. Held in a realistic theatre training environment, this course covers relevant legislation, biomechanics, spinal awareness, risk assessments, ergonomics in practice and practical techniques for safe moving and handling within a theatre environment.

Birmingham	2 days	06 Aug 2007	£405 + VAT	£450 + VAT
Scotland	2 days	11 Feb 2008	£405 + VAT	£450 + VAT

Call today or email: training@rospa.com for further details.

*HSE statistics

2008 RoSPA Road Safety Congress: Call for Papers

One of the key challenges for road safety professionals is to encourage positive engagement from individuals, communities, organisations, the media and government. The 2008 Road Safety Congress will explore the potential for securing wider engagement in road safety, the benefits of so doing, plus reasons why this can be difficult, whether we are reaching all the key audiences in the best ways and ways of achieve the desired results.  

If you would like to speak at or attend this event which is usually oversubscribed, simply click here for full details.

A well-used satellite navigation tool can help drivers plan routes and prevent drivers from hesitating or making last minute lane changes; however a badly used Sat Nav can cause a distraction and increase the risk of an accident.

RoSPA’s Using Sat Navs Safely leaflet is the ideal resource for managers to distribute to their fleet drivers, and for Local Authorities to offer to people in their areas. Any organisation resolved to manage its road risk will benefit.

The leaflet includes guidance on how to position a Sat Nav in relation to air bags and a driver’s position, as well as tips to avoid distraction while driving.

To order Using Sat Navs Safely visit RoSPA’s Webshop (please be patient, it takes a few seconds to load).

Remember Sat Navs will only help you plan a route, not every aspect of a journey. Planning a journey in advance can reduce the drivers reliance on the Sat Nav at dangerous times, and will also prompt drivers to think about issues such as fatigue and the best time to do the journey. RoSPA has produced a free leaflet providing advice on journey planning.

REACH stands for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals and it is new EU legislation, which came into force in June 2007. 

REACH is intended to provide a systematic framework across Europe for the collection of information on the effects of chemicals both to humans and the environment. The legislation sits alongside existing regulations (CHIP and COSHH) and will not replace them. Click here to read on.

RoSPA has incorporated details of the REACH regulations in all relevant training courses. For details on RoSPA's COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) courses click here. RoSPA also offers a range of consultancy and resources to help your organisation comply with all new and existing legislations in this dangerous area.

Organisations wishing to sponsor an issue, advertise a vacancy or share success stories can contact
e-letter@rospa.com.

RoSPA is an independent charity and a uniquely comprehensive safety organisation. As a RoSPA Member you will be supporting our mission to save lives through preventing accidents in all walks of life. RoSPA Members also enjoy a range of benefits to help you to achieve your own safety goals, so join RoSPA today and see how we can help you.

You can also support RoSPA by arranging fundraising activities, or through a simple donation. RoSPA also have many sponsorship opportunities.