Date: 26 April 2008
Businesses in Edinburgh will be encouraged to learn from their peers as part of a new initiative to tackle fatalities, injuries and illness in the workplace.
Aimed specifically at small and medium sized companies, the month-long initiative will use a new approach to health and safety in Scotland - using higher performing businesses to share their experiences with SMEs.
A programme of activities and events will take place in Edinburgh and other locations across Scotland to highlight health and safety issues, let smaller companies know what support is out there, and encourage them to play their part in improving Scotland's workplace health and safety record.
In 2006/07, more than 360 people in Edinburgh were injured after falling from height, slipping or tripping at work - 129 of whom suffered fatal or serious injuries. Workplace injuries cost businesses in Edinburgh an estimated £6.2 million last year.
Led by the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives (SCHWL) and the Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland (PHASS), a key part of the new initiative will be a series of free business to business seminars, one of which will take place in Edinburgh on Thursday 8th May at the George Hotel.
The seminars will feature higher-performing companies giving straight forward information and practical advice about health and safety to SMEs. In Edinburgh, businesses will be able to learn from the experience of Scottish Water Solutions.
Recent research revealed SMEs were more likely to listen to other businesses than to officials and regulatory bodies.
Steve Bell, Strategic Director for the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, explained: "Often businesses can be put off by the thought of dealing with health and safety regulations, yet this process doesn't need to be as daunting as they think and there is support out there to make the process simple.
"We are keen for employers to recognise that their most valuable resource is their staff and that protecting their health and safety will be fundamental to improving business performance.
"By using established, higher-performing businesses and encouraging smaller companies to learn from their experience, we can show SMEs that health and safety doesn't have to be the minefield they often think it is."
The biggest causes of workplace injuries in Scotland are falls and transport accidents, with construction and farming being the two industries where employees are most likely to be at risk.
At the seminars, companies will be encouraged to sign up for further support from the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives and from local safety groups.
Out-with the seminars, representatives from SCHWL, HSE and the Partnership for Health and Safety will also have a presence at a series of events over the coming weeks including the RCN Occupational Health Nurses Forum (April 24-25) and Workers Memorial Day (April 28).
There are plans to build on the initiative next year and to make it an annual event.
The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives is helping to reduce work-related ill health by 20 per cent and days lost to ill health by 30 per cent. In Scotland, 2.2 million working days are lost every year due to sickness absence at a cost to employers of £1.2 billion (£1,600 per employee).
It provides a free Occupational Health and Safety Service giving expert and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses from all industries and sectors, carrying out a full workplace assessment and giving advice on how to implement any necessary changes.
This latest initiative is part of the £1.2 million Scottish Action Plan on Health and Safety, which was launched in March 2007 and includes action on improving business access to health and safety advice.
The Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland brings together key players in workplace health and safety including the Scottish Government, the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, the Health and Safety Executive and the STUC.
STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "The trade unions were instrumental in establishing the Partnership in Scotland and we welcome this initiative to engage with smaller businesses as we know they often feel overwhelmed by the issue and aren't always aware of the advice and support that's available."
For further information on the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, contact the free adviceline on 0800 019 2211visit www.healthyworkinglives.com
Issued by the BIG Partnership on behalf of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.
