Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Press Releases
HSE press release: E214:03 - 27 October 2003
"Worksmart", a new television series that goes live in November, will bring health and safety communication to thousands of UK Asian viewers.
Four leading TV satellite channels are to run a series of real-life mini-programmes on health and safety - all featuring Asian participants.
Sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), "Worksmart", has already run in its more general form on ITV television networks across the country in 2001 and 2002. It achieved a 250% per cent increase in awareness of health and safety issues among viewers in the target audience. It was piloted with Granada Television, North West, where it ran for two years.
Chris Bisson, star of 'East is East', and formerly Asian taxi boss Vikram in Coronation Street, has lent his support to the campaign. Chris, who recently appeared in a Star TV broadcast to recruit 'Worksmart' participants, said: "Health and Safety issues are a vital part of everyone's life. I'm delighted to be able to help in getting the message across to the Asian community in Britain."
The specially produced Asian series will run for six months from November on Star Plus, Star News and Sony Entertainment, and from January on ZeeTV.
Each programme lasts just 45 seconds and features a personal story about a health or safety incident in the workplace. Programmes will appear every weekday on Star and ZeeTV as well as daily on Sony Entertainment.
Notes to editors
1. A jpeg image of Chris Bisson is available on request from Joanne Kelly on 0151 951 3208. Worksmart is produced by two consultancies, Portfolio and Unique Factuals, both Manchester based.
Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3G
Journalists only: Colette Manning 0151 951 3450