Healthy outlook

Safety & Health Expo returns to the NEC, Birmingham next month (15-17 May) and the organisers say it will be the most comprehensive show to date, featuring information on legislation and health and safety case studies, with seminars from industry experts and leading associations. Safety & Health Expo is backed by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), and the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) all of which lend their weight and expertise to the event. The free educational content will provide various opportunities to enhance the continuing professional development (CPD) value of attending the show. There are five seminar arenas: the Legal Arena; the Academy, sponsored by safety equipment supplier Arco; the Occupational Health Theatre; the Knowledge Base, hosted by the Access Industry Forum; and the IOSH theatre. The Access Industry Forum's (AIF) Knowledge Base is a forum for the groups involved in work at height and it has a packed programme of topics and speakers. Presentations will include 'The Löfstedt Review and the Work at Height Regulations', 'Is claim to blame?' and an update on last year's discussion entitled 'In search of the Holy Grail: No more working at height accidents ever', featuring contributions from RoSPA, IOSH, HSE, IIRSM and BSC. Keeping up to date with legislation and regulation changes is a key part of any manager's responsibility. So, the Legal Arena returns to the show floor with a varied programme of speakers. Visitors can hear advice on some of the important legal developments of the last year, as well as analysis of some cases and decisions in health and safety, and related legal advice from leading barristers and solicitors. IOSH chief executive Rob Strange says: "This year is set to be interesting for the industry. I'm sure there's plenty more to come from the government and its ongoing battle to boost the UK economy by attempting to cut back on what it refers to as health and safety 'red tape'. During times like these, events like Safety & Health Expo give safety and health professionals the opportunity to keep in-tune with changes and continue to make a difference to the world of work." The IOSH stand and mini lecture theatre will offer a schedule of informative presentations. IOSH will also host a series of networking group events. A new seminar area this year is dubbed the Academy and is sponsored by Arco. The Academy will be featuring sessions from author Steve Asbury about ethics and Magnet Group on its award-winning 'serious about safety' campaign. These will be accompanied by presentations and demos from Arco, Scott Safety, Draeger and ARC Associates. The Occupational Health Theatre, sponsored by Posturite, will include a session from the EEF's chief medical officer, Dr Sayeed Khan. The full timetable of seminars is available on the event website at www.safety-and-health-expo.co.uk. Supplier showcase More than 300 exhibitors will be at the event to promote a variety of products and services from PPE, training courses, fall arrest equipment, technology, testing and much more. A first-time exhibitor will be PICS, which has just launched in the UK with contractor qualification and auditing services. PICS offers access to an established, simplified contractor pre-qualification service that is already supporting a client base of some of the safest and most successful companies in the world. Another company making its debut appearance is workwear specialist Dickies, which will be offering special deals on its PPE range. Maurice Morton, sales & marketing director at Dickies, commented: "We have decided to embrace exhibiting at the SHE this year for the first time as we are now launching the first phase of our own PPE head and hand protection ranges. We are also using the opportunity to feature the UK Worker of the Year 2012 competition on our stand and inviting visitors to either apply or nominate a friend for the award of the UK's best worker." SHE Software is launching the latest version of its safety management system SHE Enterprise, with a new behavioural safety module, GUI and multi-browser capability including iPad compatibility. Visitors to Draeger's stand will find an array of products for protection against hazardous substances. This will include respiratory and chemical protection equipment, gas detection and emergency escape devices, as well as information on alcohol and drugs screening. Safety signage firm Brady will be on hand to discuss comprehensive industrial safety sign issues, including the latest ISO 7010 standard for which Brady has ready-made and on-demand signage to fully comply with its demands. The company will be co-located with sister firm Scafftag, supplier of equipment inspection tags. ACT is using the event to relaunch its audit system Compliance Manager-Auditor software. A web-based solution, the 2012 upgrade includes more user-friendly features and ACT is offering a three-month trial for £49. Scott Safety will be exhibiting its latest releases in respiratory and hearing protection, personal protection products and gas monitoring. Visitors to Scott's stand can find out more about products such as the First Base 3 Beanie bump cap and the Phantom Vision power-assisted respirator. Safety product business Arco will be launching Arco Essentials, a range of competitively priced safety products and workwear to keep workers safe and help businesses save money, too. Arco has developed the value range of own-brand clothing, footwear, gloves, safety equipment and hygiene products – also on show will be other clothing and PPE products from leading brands including Sundstrom, Uvex, 3M and MSA. Reactec will be demonstrating the HAVmeter, a compact rugged device which monitors hand-arm vibration exposure. Also exhibiting hand-arm vibration monitoring equipment is Castle Group, which is launching Vexo, a new measurement device said to be the smallest and lowest cost in its class. Safety & Health Expo is co-located with the Facilities Show and IFSEC International. your at a-glance guide What? Safety & Health Expo When?15-17 May Where? Hall 1, NEC, Birmingham How? www.safety-health-expo.co.uk/register