NEW INNOVATIVE WAYS OF HANDLING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND PUT BRITISH COMPANIES ON TOP

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NEW INNOVATIVE WAYS OF HANDLING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND PUT BRITISH COMPANIES ON TOP
06 May 2006 - HSE InfoLine

Nominations for Good Practice Awards to recognise outstanding and innovative ways of handling dangerous substances by British companies, are being sought by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Winners of the award will be announced as part of the European Week for Safety and Health, 13 - 19 October 2003, which this year focuses on dangerous substances and their affects on the health of workers. Around 7,000 people suffer asthma caused or made worse by work and 66,000 people suffer from new or existing skin disease caused by work.

HSE's Deputy Director General Kate Timms encouraged those with a positive story to tell to put in a nomination. "A combination of good leadership and the close involvement of staff in effectively handling the potential hazards of chemicals and other substances deserves recognition in the form of a prestigious European award.

"Very diverse businesses from hairdressers and beauty salons through to garages, cleaners and manufacturers all use dangerous substances. We are very keen to hear from companies how these issues are being tackled, and the innovative ways in which they are putting the messages across."

The UK has enjoyed success in Good Practice Awards in the past, including West Yorkshire chemical company Hickson and Welch for their efforts to reduce workplace accidents in 2001.

Hickson and Welch's health and safety manager, Ken Patterson, said: "Receiving a European Good Practice Award for partnership working with our local Transport and General Workers Union was wonderful recognition of everyone's hard work.

"Our entry was prompted by the trade union and recognised the way working with them has enabled us to make real progress in reducing accidents on our site. We particularly valued this recognition because our suppliers and customers come from across Europe, so an EU award is especially significant.

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About: HSE InfoLine
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.

The HSE looks after health and safety in nuclear installations and mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations, the safety of the gas grid and the movement of dangerous goods and substances, railway safety, and many other aspects of the protection both of workers and the public. Local authorities are responsible to HSC for enforcement in offices, shops and other parts of the services sector.

The HSC is sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions and is ultimately accountable to the Minister of State for Work, the Right Honourable Jane Kennedy MP.

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