JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY INITIATIVE TARGETS BRENT MOTOR INDUSTRY

HSE press release E128:03 - 14 July 2003

Continuing the London-wide inspection campaign started in Camden last month, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Brent Council will pay unannounced visits to around 70 motor vehicle repair workplaces on 16 and 17 July to check health and standards.

The campaign, the result of a new working partnership between HSE and some local authorities in London, will see a team of inspectors carrying out co-ordinated and streamlined checks of small businesses.

This initiative follows on from the free motor vehicle repair safety awareness event held 20 May at the College of North West London. At the event local businesses were invited to hear presentations and take part in workshops. The event covered areas including fire and explosive risks, equipment and electrical safety, manual handling, slips and trips and falls from height. Over 30 small business managers attended the event.

Mike Gibb, Principal Inspector with HSE's Field Operations Directorate, London said: "The feedback we received from those who attended the safety event was extremely positive. The idea behind the inspections is to be able to engage those who were unable to attend and provide them with similar information and advice as well as carrying out an inspection of their premises. In carrying out a similar exercise in Camden recently we were able to visit over 60 premises and issued a number of enforcement notices to improve standards."

Colin Conboy, Brent's Health and Safety Manager said: "The council is keen to help businesses in Brent make sure they provide safe and healthy working environments. Initiatives like this one help us achieve that aim. The cooperation between HSE and the council ensure that businesses are only visited by one health and safety regulator."

Charles Horsefield, Head of Operations in HSE's London Division said: "This is one of many initiatives HSE is taking to improve working standards in London. Increasingly we are taking a strategic approach by working in partnership with local authorities and business organisations to improve health and safety standards. Poor standards of health and safety cost firms a lot of money. Our recent free Woodworking Safety Awareness Day and Motor Vehicle Repair Safety Awareness Event were designed to help small firms understand and comply with legal requirements and help them avoid accidents and ill health."

Notes to editors

1. HSE enforces Health and safety legislation in manufacturing premises, construction work, health care, education premises, warehouses and a variety of other types of business;

2. Local Borough Councils enforce health and safety legislation mainly in offices, shops, hotels, and catering and leisure activities;

3. This initiative contributes to the planned programme of inspections in London to take place over the year. It will to cover both specific industries and general businesses.

4. A free leaflet giving basic advice "Reducing ill health and accidents in motor vehicle repair" INDG356 will be provided to those businesses visited and is available on HSE's website http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg356.htm

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