HSE encourages tyre industry to tread carefully to cut number of injuries

HSE/NE/200/09 22 May 2009

Workers whose job involves handling tyres are being invited to a special workshop in Newcastle next month in a bid to increase awareness of the potential dangers and cut the number of injuries caused each year.

The three-hour event is being organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) and the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA). It will take place on Tuesday 9 June at the Novotel, Newcastle Airport.
Musculoskeletal disorders - often resulting from poor manual handling practice - are the most common cause of occupational ill health in Britain, currently affecting one million people a year and costing society £5.7 billion.
The workshop will focus on simple and effective ways to reduce the risk of injury and will have sessions on:

• Manual handling training
• Local council inspection visits
• Industry safety initiatives
• Assessing the manual handling risks in tyre retail

The Newcastle workshop is latest of a series of well-attended events held around the country.

Terry Aston from HSE is the chair of Rubber Industry Advisory Committee. He said:

"Moving and fitting tyres involves a lot of manual handling. Back and other muscular injuries are common. The cost to employers is considerable, as is the pain and hardship that can be endured by workers. We are pleased to be able to work with the industry to have the opportunity to promote best practice and keep tyre handlers in the North East safe and well."

NTDA Director Richard Edy said:

"Our research shows that back injuries caused by lifting tyres incorrectly are responsible for a huge number of lost working hours and we are delighted to be working with 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."

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.

Notes to editors

• The HSE and its Board has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulation in GB, and HSE and Local Authorities 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, recovery companies and anyone involved in the transportation of tyres. Continued professional development points may be available to local authority staff.

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and Pr North East