Experts get to grips with safe maintenance
1 min read
The manufacturers organisation EEF, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the TUC are joining forces to tackle what they agree is one of the major causes of serious injury in manufacturing. The organisations have joined forces to run a series of events around Britain to provide expert advice and help as part of the European Safe Maintenance Campaign.
EEF says more than a quarter of fatalities in manufacturing involve maintenance work and it is also responsible for many other serious injuries and ill health. As well as being the subject the EU Safe Maintenance campaign, HSE is focusing on maintenance as part of its inspection programme.
At the events, Health and Safety experts from EEF, HSE and the trade unions will help managers get to grips with key topics, including management of asbestos, isolating machinery and selecting contractors.
Steve Pointer (pictured), EEF's head of health and safety policy said: "The fact that maintenance is not directly part of the manufacturing process means that it is all too easy to forget when thinking about health and safety. But everyone has to carry out maintenance in one form or another and it can present some serious risks. That is why we are working together to help manufacturers manage maintenance risks."
Geoff Cox, head of HSE's manufacturing sector said that for many manufacturing businesses the potential risks around maintenance activities may be the greatest occupational health and safety risks employees faced. "Taking half a day to get yourself up to speed on these issues, or to reassure yourself that you aren't overlooking anything significant, should be seen as a really valuable business investment," he added.
Attendance at the half day seminars to be held in Newport (19 October), Sheffield (4 November), Warrington (9 November), Glasgow (23 November) and Leamington (30 November) costs £25.
For further information and booking visit www.eef.org.uk/Safemaintenance
or call 0845 293 9850.
