HSC press release C041:04 - 13 September 2004

Need to know more about manual handling in the printing industry?

Do you run a printing business or work in one? Are you struggling with manual handling assessments, or do you need help reducing the risks from lifting and carrying?

If so, come along to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in Bristol where the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is holding an open meeting of its Printing Industry Advisory Committee (PIAC) on Thursday, 11 November 2004 at 10.30 am.

There you will hear why ill-health from manual handling is a problem for the printing industry, be able to watch a video highlighting the most common types of injuries to printers and how to avoid them, see a demonstration of the new Manual Handling Assessment (MAC) Tool and have the opportunity to work through an assessment.

You will also have the opportunity to share best practice and be able to discuss practical solutions with HSE's manual handling experts and fellow printers.

Attendance is free, but places are limited, those wishing to attend should contact Wendie Drammeh on 0113 283 4397 or e-mail wendie.drammeh@hse.gsi.gov.uk

Notes for Editors

1. PIAC is a tripartite committee, made up of representatives of the CBI and TUC and HSE. Its primary aim is to reduce injuries and ill health caused by work in the printing industry. Its purpose is to provide health and safety advice and guidance tailored to the needs of printers. It also promotes acceptable standards of working conditions and welfare in conformity with legal requirements.

2. HSC/E is seeking to engage with small firms in particular to make sure that their views are fully taken into account in policy formulation. This is one of the key aims of the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety strategy which strives to inject new impetus into the health and safety agenda and to identify new ways of further reducing rates of accidents and ill health caused by work, especially in respect of small firms.

3. HSE press release E038:04 announced that Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDS) in the printing industry would be the focus of a two-year initiative, starting in April 2004.

4. The Government and HSC launched the 'Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy' in June 2000. The ten-point strategy, supported by a 44-point action plan, announced tough targets for reducing work-related deaths, ill health and injury in Britain over the next 10 years.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:

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 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES:

Journalists only: Denise Lewisohn 020 7717 6918,

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