Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Press releases
E040:07 25 October 2007
Chairman Councillor Beryl Meakins and Environmental Health Officer Pauline Miler McIlravey with the prize winners
Children across South Bedfordshire were celebrated at an awards ceremony by the District Council on 23 October, after their drawings were published in a calendar to promote health and safety.
The prize giving was all part of the European Health and Safety Awareness Week, “Lighten the Load”. As part of the scheme South Bedfordshire District Council joined forces with HSE and partners Argos, Christian Salvesen, WH Smith and General Motors to put together a calendar that will remind employees to make sure they look after their backs while at work.
Chairman, Councillor Mrs Beryl Meakins who attended the event said:
“It always gives me great pleasure not only to see young people here in the district offices but to be able to recognise their achievements. Health and safety at work is the responsibility of all of us. I hope this may benefit us all and them in the future"
Children were asked to draw a picture that would either remind people of the dangers or show them how they should be lifting heavy or awkward objects while at work.
Shirley Williams, HSE's Principal Inspector for Bedfordshire, said:
“Working with colleagues from Local Authorities like South Beds District Council is very important to HSE and this calendar is an example of the excellent results which can be produced by such partnership work.
“Young people tend to have more creative imaginations and their eye-catching designs will help raise awareness of the risks of lifting and handling.”
The entries were judged at South Bedfordshire District Council on the 30 August. Eight winners were picked to on the calendars main pages. Runners up also had their pictures printed on a runners-up page of the calendar and all winners received a copy of the calendar too.
HSE's Infoline: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
For more information please contact John Stevenson on 01223 372790, john.stevenson@gnn.gsi.gov.uk
Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network East.