DSE FAQs - Are you sitting uncomfortably?

Display screen equipment (DSE) assessments are not only a legal requirement: done properly they can actually help combat the musculoskeletal disorders, reduced concentration levels and other ill-health effects that are symptomatic of time spent at poorly-designed workstations.

Here are the HSE’s answers to some of the most commonly asked DSE questions:

Do DSE regulations apply to work with laptops?
Yes, if in prolonged use for work purposes.
How often should risk assessments of DSE workstations be done?
When a workstation is set up, a new user starts work, or a change is made to how a workstation is used.
What training do I need to give to staff using DSE?
Train users about the risks in DSE work and how to avoid these by safe working practices.

As an essential part of many organisations’ risk profile, RoSPA’s DSE Assessors and Ergonomic Principles course focuses on ergonomic principles, postural assessment and the practical application of theory. All those who have line management responsibilities for others, those who have been appointed as DSE Assessors and those involved in delivering new staff inductions will benefit from this two-day course.

Next course dates:

Birmingham: 22 October 2008, 18 November 2008
Hertfordshire: 20 October 2008
Bristol: 06 November 2008
Manchester: 13 November 2008

This course is also extremely popular ‘in-company’.

Don’t forget, discounted rates are available for RoSPA members.

New guidance - HSE on workforce involvement

To complement the joint HSE/IoD guidance on the leadership role of directors published last year, the Health and Safety Executive is launching new guidance on workforce involvement and consultation in health and safety. This highlights employers’ options for meeting their legal duties to consult workers and their representatives on health and safety matters and it gives practical guidance on best practice.

On Monday 20th October 2008 RoSPA will be holding two focused briefings at its training suite in Edgbaston, Birmingham. The briefings will explain the new guidance, help businesses to assess their current position on employee involvement, and identify opportunities for change.

Please visit us for more information including details on the programme.

Be amongst the first to hear details of the guidelines.

East Midlands - Your new workplace safety contact

If your organisation is in need of training but the budget is tight, then in-company training could be the ideal solution and Chris Brown, RoSPA’s recently appointed Workplace Safety Field Sales Manager, is based in your area and can discuss the specific training requirements your organisation may have.

For as little as £60 per delegate per day* RoSPA’s in-company training is an extremely cost-effective way of providing training for your employees – and has other added benefits too; such as reduced disruption to the delegate's working week and tailored courses to meet your specific organisation's needs.

Our CMIOSH qualified trainers, many of whom live in the East Midlands, can work with your organisation to develop a course best suited to you and your business sector. As part of this tailoring process, RoSPA incorporates companies’ typical working practices, uses practical sessions with client-based scenarios, and takes into consideration client strategy, policy and procedures and your company’s core values.

Many of RoSPA’s courses, which are already popular with delegates as part of our open course programme, also prove to be extremely popular ‘in-company’ for example, Manual Handling Trainers and Risk Assessors. Training a manual-handling trainer is a cost effective way of lowering accident rates as best practice can be disseminated throughout the workforce.

Alternatively, our Five Day Manual Handling course will provide delegates with the skills to conduct risk assessments, an understanding of the principles of manual handling and the ability to train other employees in-house.

Effective training by RoSPA could improve the productivity of your employees, making your business more effective.

RoSPA also offer a whole host of Driver Training Solutions including Banksman, Risk Assessment and Driver Development including defensive driving techniques.

*Based on a standard in-company course, at members rates. Please note RoSPA charge per day, not per delegate.

Allan Holt

A memorial lecture in honour of the highly-respected health and safety practitioner Allan St John Holt, OBE, is to be staged annually by Royal Mail and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Allan Holt, who died, aged 63, in 2007, made an outstanding contribution to improving workplace health and safety in the UK and was Group Head of Health and Safety at Royal Mail. He was the first person to be awarded RoSPA’s Distinguished Service Award posthumously.

The inaugural lecture, entitled “Health and Safety: Past, Present and Future?”, will be given by John Rimington CB, former Director General of the Health and Safety Executive, on October 9, 2008, at Royal Mail’s Management Centre, Coton House, near Rugby.

Admission is by invitation only. To apply and for more information, contact Sandra Baxx at sandra.baxx@royalmail.com , or click to read more information.

HSE Fears - Offshore safety

The Health and Safety Executive has expressed concern over a rise in the number of "dangerous occurrences" on offshore platforms in 2007/08.

During the year, 571 such incidents were reported, 32 more than during 2006/07, and 40 per cent were hydrocarbon releases often regarded as precursors to a major incident. The statistics also revealed an increase in the number of major injuries in the offshore sector, rising from 39 in 2006/07 to 44 in 2007/08.

There were no fatalities in the industry for the first time in three years, but there were 12 deaths in marine operations associated with offshore activities.

Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Executive issued a reminder to the offshore industry: “With the demand for oil and gas so high, it is more important than ever that the offshore industry continues to invest in the sector to protect its workers and puts safety first”.

In response to the HSE's fears, Chris Allen, Oil & Gas UK's HSSE director, said: "In striving to further reduce its hydrocarbon releases, the industry will be seeking close engagement with technical staff at HSE to further analyse the releases that have occurred and identify where action should be targeted. The industry will continue to work through Step Change to ensure that the offshore industry has a long, sustainable future, free from major accidents”.

Winter driving - Driver theory workshop

A drop in temperature and ever changing weather conditions is a sure sign that winter is on its way. With winter comes reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces making driving particularly hazardous.

If your organisation has employees who drive for work then you also have a responsibility to ensure their well-being. By ensuring your drivers have the necessary training to deal with all weather conditions you’ll be fulfilling your ‘duty of care’.

Book your drivers onto a RoSPA Driver Theory Workshop and make sure they have the awareness to cope with winter driving conditions. This flexible course will also allow you to pick four additional modules pertinent to the needs of your drivers:

Asbestos - The hidden killer

After the success of the North West Pilot campaign, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out anationwide asbestos campaign to increase awareness among tradesmen of the risks of being exposed to asbestos.

The campaign entitled ‘Asbestos: The hidden killer’ is launched on 13 October 2008, which is aimed at making tradesmen aware of asbestos and the damage it can cause to their health and lives. Sadly, asbestos-related disease is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths, and accounts for around 4000 deaths per year.

Please visit the HSE asbestos web page or the campaign micro-site for more information.

Corporate Membership - offer ends soon

Specially designed for organisations with more than one site, RoSPA’s Corporate Membership can help ensure all your sites enjoy RoSPA membership benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Substantial discounts on open and in-company training courses Free access to RoSPA's Infocentre Discounts on products and resources Free subscription to one or more of RoSPA’s award-winning journals Framed membership certificate for each site Plus much, much more...

Join before 30th Sept and we will waive the one-off administration fee worth up to £299*

To receive your tailored corporate membership proposal, please visit our website or contact us.

* Administration fees vary depending on number of sites

Job vacancy - Road Safety Research and Evaluation Officer

Salary: £18 - 20k (depending on experience)
Location: Birmingham

RoSPA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, is looking for a Road Safety Research and Evaluation Officer to strengthen the effectiveness of its road safety work.

Key functions will include collecting and analysing data to monitor and evaluate our road safety projects, courses, products and services, writing reports, and researching and writing policy papers and fact sheets on road safety topics.

To view the full job description and an application details please visit our RoSPA jobs

Closing date: Friday 19 September 2008.
Interviews in Birmingham, Wednesday 1 October 2008

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, then please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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Job vacancy - Road Safety Compliance Manager

Salary: C£35,000 + benefits

Location: Doncaster

GrantRail Group is a rapidly expanding prime contractor in the Railway Infrastructure Sector. Our share of the UK railway infrastructure market has more than quadrupled over the past 11 years. Our future lies in the provision of a highly professional and innovative service to the industry, requiring top class professionals in their respective disciplines.

Reporting directly to the Group Safety and Compliance Director, you will be responsible for

• Implementing the road vehicle safety management policy throughout the GrantRail Group ensuring compliance with the road traffic act.
• Maintaining a programme of compliance audits on company road vehicles
• Carrying out road vehicle accident investigations
• Establishing an appropriate suite of road vehicle safety KPI’s to assist in the robust monitoring of the company ‘duty of care’ responsibilities

You must have a strong understanding of road vehicle legislation, health and safety principles, as well as being self-motivated and able to work on your own initiative. Previous experience of implementing and monitoring policies and procedures is a must alongside excellent communication skills.

Based in Doncaster the post will involve extensive travel throughout the UK.

To apply please send an up-to-date CV and covering to:

The Recruitment Team, GrantRail Group, Carolina Court, Lakeside, Doncaster DN4 5RA or email: recruitment@grantrail.co.uk