Safe in the knowledge

Good occupational health and safety can have a highly positive effect both on individuals and the organisation as a whole. In 2009/10, according to the Labour Force Survey (for ONS), 2.4 million working days were lost in the manufacturing industry due to workplace injury and work-related ill health. Effective health and safety management is a crucial function for all managers and directors, not just health and safety representatives or specialists. The introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, a momentous landmark in law, denotes that organisations can now be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of "serious management failure resulting in a gross breach of care". As a result, those responsible for the corporate management of health and safety need to take greater responsibility for employees. So next month's Safety and Health Expo could provide managers with a valuable opportunity to catch up on all the latest regulation and compliance issues, as well as to see many suppliers of products and services designed to boost health and safety standards in the workplace. For example, there will be a Legal Arena, where visitors can hear advice on some of the key legal developments of the past year, as well as analysis of some of the biggest cases and decisions in health and safety and related law from leading barristers and solicitors across the three days of the event. Elsewhere, a new feature for the 2011 event is the Occupational Health Theatre, where visitors can hear how to tackle issues such as stress management, ergonomics, behavioural safety, equality and other topics that help promote better quality of life in the workplace. There is also an area dubbed the Product & Innovation Hub, sponsored by Arco, where visitors are invited to try out a number of solutions for vibration and noise, head protection, slips, trips and falls, training, hand protection and working at height. And the Working at Height Knowledge Base, run by the Access Industry Forum, will feature panel discussions, debates and demonstrations all focused on addressing issues relating to access and working at height. Many of the leading industry bodies support Safety and Health Expo, including IOSH , RoSPA, and the British Safety Industry Federation. In addition, more than 300 suppliers of products and services will be demonstrating their wares. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' (RoSPA) stand, in hall 2, will provide information on the range of services and products offered by the 94-year-old safety charity. There will be a 25% discount offered on most occupational and fleet safety training, and a free prize draw for a place on the NEBOSH Diploma course. There will also be a competition on the stand which RoSPA says is suitable for those feeling "adventurous" – the prize is the latest iPad2. Other exhibitor highlights include ACT, which will be showcasing its range of e-learning (NEBOSH, IOSH and OHSAS 18001) and conformity software packages. In a similar vein, Safety Media will also be demonstrating e-learning and DVD products for health and safety training. As in previous years, Safety and Health Expo is also the location for RoSPA's occupational health and safety awards, which recognise outstanding health and safety performance. The awards take place each evening. Last year, more than 16,000 people visited Safety and Health Expo. Co-located with the event this year are three other shows: IFSEC, the annual security event; International Firex, which is dedicated to fire safety; and The Facilities Show, the UK's largest annual facilities management exhibition. All events are free to attend for pre-registered visitors – advance registration is recommended since entry will cost £30 on the door. See www.safety-health-expo.co.uk for full details and registration information. N Your at-a-glance guide What? Safety and Health Expo 2011 When? 17 May 10:00 to 17:00 18 May 10:00 to 17:00 19 May 10:00 to 16:00 Where? Halls 1 and 2, NEC, Birmingham How? Register free in advance at www.safety-health-expo.co.uk