Liverpool hosts prestigious health and safety event

Date:

16 March 2009

Release No:

E022:09

Liverpool's BT Convention Centre will be this year's venue for the 60th annual conference and exhibition organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and hosted in part by the Health and Safety Executive which is largely based on Merseyside.

The event will be chaired by Channel 4 News presenter, Krishnan Guru-Murthy who will grill HSE's Chief Executive, Geoffrey Podger in front of more than 700 delegates, with a 45-minute Q&A.

Lord McKenzie, Department of Work and Pension's (DWP) Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, will also give a keynote speech about emerging risks and future priorities in health and safety particularly given the current economic challenges.

HSE's Director of Policy, Jane Willis and Health and Safety Laboratory's Chief Executive, Eddie Morland will also take part, chairing sessions on legal and regulatory issues and emerging health and safety risks.

"We are delighted that IOSH organised their annual conference in the North-West. Merseyside is now home to HSE's unified headquarters in Bootle where we employ about 1500 people," said Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive.

One of HSE's key messages is directed firmly at business and their health and safety professionals:

"Given the turbulent economy, we hope that Great Britain's businesses keep especially vigilant about maintaining their health and safety requirements.

"At its worst, taking short cuts can endanger lives but it can also cost business a lot of money in the long run. Now, more than ever, business owners cannot afford to face penalties or prosecutions or risk their good reputation by reneging on these essential responsibilities, so we encourage informed, sensible decision-making."

The two-day event generates opportunities to debate and learn about ongoing and contemporary issues keeping Great Britain at the very forefront of health and safety. Exhibitors from the health and safety industry will take products and messages to the exhibition hall in the BT Convention Centre.

As well as the multi-disciplinary seminars, HSE's evening reception - hosted by Judith Donovan, HSE's Board champion for its latest 'Come Home Safe' agriculture campaign - provides a perfect opportunity for industry networking.

Notes to editors

1. Later on this year, HSE will launch its new strategy having recently finished its three-month public consultation with stakeholders.
2. A new online stress management tool will be among the products and messages that HSE takes to its own exhibition stand. You can see it here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm.
3. Read more about HSE's latest agriculture campaign, 'Come Home Safe' here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm.
4. For information on the shattered lives (slips, trips and falls) campaign visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm.

HSE's Research Reports are available on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office