Health service

The third in the series of Health and Safety regional events for 2011 will take place at The Reebok Stadium in Bolton on 5 and 6 October, with a line-up now including seminars, a strong conference programme, major exhibitors from across the sector and a new Cleaning and Hygiene Zone. For example, health and safety trainers needing to improve their communications skills will be able to hear Lisa Fowlie, health and safety advisor at the University of Wales, Bangor, with her presentation entitled 'Communicating health and safety issues in training: from (bored) board level to basics'. Expect a tirade of techniques that reflect her experience with course delegates, who, she says, are almost universally told to attend and believe that health and safety is an imposition and training an ordeal to endure. Then at the legislative level, Neal Stone, director of policy and research with the British Safety Council, will talk about the changing health and safety landscape – a session ideal for managers wanting an update on recent and planned government reforms to the health and safety framework. Stone will cover the Löfstedt review and explore the likely impact of reduced resources for regulation and enforcement, resulting from government cutbacks. He will also explore the significant changes taking place in the sourcing of expert advice and guidance. Equally, at the operational level, health and safety practitioners can gain insights into sensible approaches from Richard Evens, commercial training director of St John Ambulance, presenting 'Health and safety gone sane'. Evens refers to Lord Young's report last year, which accused unqualified consultants of giving health and safety a bad name. But he says that having a clear and qualified understanding of the safety risks in any organisation – and knowing how to minimise them – are still just the first steps. Having trained personnel in place and mitigating accidents when they do happen are also essential. Bringing that to life will be a new feature for the conference this year – a drama-based presentation 'Safety leadership and culture', delivered by Shaun Curry and Harry Gallagher of Macnaughton McGregor. The pair promise an interactive session, with practical content designed to deliver a long-term change in attitude. Their goal, they say, is not just to effect a short-term change in behaviour, but to place the foundations for a lasting positive cultural change. There are also seminars from event partners, such as 3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety, whose technical affairs engineer Alan McArthur will discuss occupational asthmagens. Substances to beware of include flour and wood dust, and McArthur says he will highlight other common asthmagens and their health effects, and give guidance on appropriate control measures. As for the new Cleaning and Hygiene Zone, this will feature exhibits from product and service providers covering a range of health and safety issues. "There is a great synergy between cleaning and hygiene and health and safety," explains Graham Fletcher, secretary of the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association, sponsor of the area. "For example, the threat of occupational skin [disease] is overcome by the use of skin care programmes, developed and sold by the cleaning and hygiene industry. Slips, trips and falls are controlled through the use of appropriate floor preparations, developed and sold by the cleaning and hygiene industry. And so it goes on." Exhibitors in the Cleaning and Hygiene Zone will include: Chemaide, which develops a range of maintenance, cleaning and hygiene products for industrial, commercial and institutional applications; Sebo, which manufactures industrial vacuum cleaners; and Omnipole, which provides maintenance and cleaning equipment. Elsewhere, visitors will find the Demonstration Zone, sponsored by machinery safety specialist Laidler Associates, where visitors will be offered theoretical and practical information about legislation and technology concerning machine safety. your at-a-glance guide What? Health and Safety North 2011 When? 5 and 6 October Where? Reebok Stadium, Bolton How? Register online at ww.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk