E064:08 8 December 2008

HSE announces tyre handling workshops

A countrywide series of workshops to draw attention to the dangers of handling tyres is being staged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in conjunction with the tyre Industry.

HSE, working with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) and the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA), will run six workshops about tyre handling during January to March 2009. NTDA Director Richard Edy said:

“NTDA research shows that back injuries caused by lifting tyres incorrectly are responsible for a huge number of lost man-hours in our sector and we are delighted to be working with the HSE to highlight the dangers to the trade.”

Abid Dost, BTMA’s Health, Safety and Environment Director said:
“BTMA has worked in partnership with HSE to reduce manual handling injuries for more than 10 years. These seminars are a golden opportunity to benefit from the distilled knowledge and experience gathered over the years, and acquire the tools to reduce the costs of manual handling injuries.”

HSE’s Terry Aston, who is also Chair of RUBIAC (Rubber Industry Advisory Committee), said:
“Moving and fitting tyres involves a lot of manual handling; back and other muscular injuries are common. The cost to employers is considerable so we are pleased to work with the industry to have the opportunity to promote best practice. We’ll reach
a wide audience in the UK.”

The three-hour workshops will have sessions on:

• The HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Chart Tool in the retail tyre environment
• Local Authority inspection visits
• Industry initiatives and latest developments   
• Manual handling training information based on COPE Occupational Health Service’s work with Goodyear Dunlop.

Places are on a ‘first come first served’ basis.  All attendees will receive a certificate confirming participation in the workshop. To book your place email lynnesmith@ntda.co.uk

There will be an administration fee of £10 to attend and the events take place at:

28 January - Park Royal Hotel, Stretton Road, Stretton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4NS
3 February - Cooper Tire Sports and Social Club, Melksham House, Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6ES
11 February - Thurrock Hotel, Ship Lane, Aveley, Essex, RM19 1YN (just off M25 Lakeside)
26 February - Garfield House Hotel, Cumbernauld Road, Stepps, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G33 6HW
11 March - Holiday Inn, Chapel Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 7BG (near junction 7 on the M6)
18 March - Xscape, Colorado Way, Castleford WF10 4TA

Notes to editors

• The HSE and its Board has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulation in GB, and HSE and LAs are the enforcing authorities that work in support of the Board. For more information on health and safety at work visit www.hse.gov.uk.
• Workshops are open to tyre retailers, manufacturers, tyre recovery companies and anyone involved in the transportation of tyres. The workshops will focus on simple and effective ways to reduce the level of manual injury in the industries. Continued Professional Development points may be available to LA staff.
• HSE's Research Reports are available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/research/publish.htm

Press enquiries (Journalists only)

Karl Brookes 0151 951 4684
Out of hours 020 7928 8382

Public enquiries

HSE's InfoLine 0845 345 0055
Textphone: 0845 408 9577
e-mail: hse.infoline@connaught.plc.uk

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk