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View All Press Releases| IOSH annual conference and exhibition 2012 | 04 Jan 2012 |
IOSH annual conference and exhibition to aid public sector efficiency saving whilst maintaining standards
In January 2011 the public sector workers union UNISON revealed that more than £27 million was paid to victims of accidents and injuries in the workplace in 2010 occurring across 3893 personal injury cases [1]. The challenge facing the public sector is therefore to establish ways to prevent accidents through engaging workforces in education and best practice for their everyday roles.
With the increasing pressure on local and national budgets within the public sector, it is vital that practitioners continuously develop best practice through reassessment and refining of skills and expertise. The risks in local government, for example, occur across a wide range of services and activities, from education and social care to waste management and transport, in fact one transport company studied by the HSE reported that the cost of accidents was equivalent to one third of it’s profits [2]. According to the HSE the public services sector employs nearly 5 million workers across the UK, which is in addition to the many others employed under ‘contracted out’ services. Taking into account the diverse and costly status of health and safety issues, improvement in standards and knowledge can have a significant and much needed impact on business efficiency through significant potential for cost savings; arguably one of the most poignant aspects of public sector operations in the current economic climate.
The IOSH annual conference and exhibition (www.ioshconference.co.uk), taking place at Manchester Central 06-07 March 2012, will provide conference delegates and exhibition visitors with many of the tools required to remain abreast of the ever evolving occupational health and safety industry while learning about ways to increase cost efficiency and best practice. With the challenging theme Health and safety: Changing perceptions, the conference programme will feature over 60 expert speakers, more than 30 sessions on hot industry topics, and 15 hours of lively discussions, vital legal updates, in-depth analysis, practical workshops and real-life case studies. Hot topics include the Löfstedt Review, the ongoing impact of Lord Young’s health and safety review, a session on getting health and safety on the board’s agenda by understanding the perspectives of CEOs; and the relationship between the behaviour of health and safety professionals and popular perceptions, as well as opportunities to be smarter in building the reputation of the ‘brand’.
Key speakers include Professor Ragnar Löfstedt on the outcomes of the Löfstedt Review which aims to simplify health and safety rules and decrease the burden of red tape (published on 28 November 2011) and the HSE’s Judith Hackitt CBE who said in a recent speech to National Safety Symposium “there is a good deal of change going on in the world of health and safety, but the focus remains the same. Times are tough and tough decisions have to be made… Cost reduction is a challenge for us all, but it is also an opportunity to look for new and innovative ways of maintaining and where possible improving on outcomes - especially in health and safety.” [3]
After it’s successful launch at the 2011 exhibition, CoreSkills+ is back to provide sixteen practical workshops focused on core health and safety skills. This popular programme has doubled in size since its inception last year and offers a choice of one-hour workshops which aim to refresh the knowledge of experienced practitioners and support the skill base of those starting their health and safety careers.
IOSH Chief Executive Rob Strange OBE said: “IOSH 2012 is a great opportunity for practitioners to network, learn and share best practice. And that’s why it has become such an essential part of our mission to improve the health and safety of people at work.
“We have responded to demand this year by doubling the Core Skills + sessions at conference, for example. People attend IOSH’s annual conference and exhibition because they want to become better practitioners and do their bit to reduce injury and illness in the workplace.”The annual IOSH exhibition runs alongside the conference and is the premier choice for leading companies showcasing their latest products and services, as well as providing face to face advice and guidance on best practice and compliance. This offering will give procurement professionals the opportunity to compare and contrast a whole range of products and services from exhibitors including British Safety Council, Evac + Chair International, Nebosh and Total Access Ltd. In a time where cost considerations have to be paramount the IOSH annual conference and exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to look for innovative ways of maintaining, and potentially also improving, standards. With around 2,000 visitors expected to attend and more than 100 exhibitors on show, IOSH 2012 is set to feature the biggest and best exhibition in the history of this peripatetic show.
IOSH Conference and Exhibition achieved a substantial growth in visitors when it took place last year at London’s ExCeL. Visitors as well as exhibitors came away with positive feedback, Rita Mackenzie, Deputy Chief Technician, BHR University Hospital NHS Trust said “This was my first time at IOSH and I have had a great day. There is a really good range of exhibitors and I have heard some great seminars sessions too. I planned my day before I came and have attended all of the free theatres.”
The IOSH annual conference and exhibition takes place at Manchester Central 06-07 March 2012. Further information on the full programme and exhibitor list is available at www.ioshconference.co.uk.
ends
Notes to editors:
About UBM plc, organisers of IOSH conference & exhibition
UBM plc is a leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
In addition to the IOSH conference & exhibition, UBM’s safety portfolio includes Safety & Health Expo, OSH Africa, OSH India, OSH Arabia, SHP magazine, SHP online and Training and Career Development Live.
For more information, go to www.ubm.com
Contact:
Louise Boulden, Group PR & Communications Manager louise.boulden@ubm.com 020 7921 8066
Laura Dagg, PR & Communications Executive laura.dagg@ubm.com 020 7921 8040
About IOSH
IOSH is the chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.
We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.
IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.
Contact:
Tim Walsh, Media Manager tim.walsh@iosh.co.uk 0116 2573252
[1] http://www.tutorcare.co.uk/blog/public-sector-accident-at-work-compensation-totalled-27m-last-year-112.html
[2] http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg355.pdf
