Businesses on industrial estates in and around Southampton are being invited to a special event to learn how they can benefit from free health and safety training and support.
Launching next week (13 July), Estates Excellence is a new project to improve the health and safety of Hampshire workers. The project is spearheaded by organisations committed to health and safety, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Southampton City Council, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Federation of Small Business.
Estates Excellence helps businesses on industrial estates, especially those which are small and medium-sized, to identify areas of health and safety that they wish to improve. This advice is free and then no-cost training is provided for businesses and workers covering topics like reducing health and safety red tape and practical manual handling. The project also offers a taster in health provision, where workers will be able to get their hearing, lungs and hands assessed by medical staff for free.
In Southampton, Estates Excellence launches with an information session for businesses on the theme of Good Leadership for health and safety. The event will take place at 10.00am on Tuesday 13 July at Southampton Guildhall. This will be followed by visits from advisory staff at the HSE, Southampton City Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service starting on 20 September 2010.
Mike WiIlcock, HSE's Head of Operations for the South East, said: "Employers and small business want to get health and safety right but have a lot on their plate, particularly in the current climate, so there is an increasing appetite for smaller bite-size training. Estates Excellence will address all the commonly asked questions about areas of health and safety, but also tailors support to each individual business and its needs.
"Good health and safety is good for business, and I'd encourage employers in Southampton to come along to the Guildhall next week to find out how this free support can make a difference."
Councillor Royston Smith Deputy Leader of Southampton City Council said: "This initiative provides real value for money for businesses - with free training sessions and expert advice. An added incentive of taking part in the scheme is the chance to gain the Estates Excellence Participation Award and we hope that lots of businesses participate - so that many of Southampton's business parks can declare themselves Estates of Excellence."
Chris George, from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's Business Education Unit, said: "We are pleased to be taking part in this project. Fire safety within the business community should be taken very seriously. Besides loss of life, fire costs UK business millions of pounds, from damage to property, loss of business, fines, compensation claims and insurance premiums. Very few businesses recover from fire.
"We appreciate that during these testing financial times it will be difficult for everyone who is running a business and that sometimes there are additional burdens placed upon us. That's why this joint initiative, which brings together expert help and advice, should be welcomed."
Andy Barter from the Federation of Small Business (FSB) said: "What's so great about Estates Excellence is that it has absolutely no cost to small businesses themselves and that they get a fast and effective way of improving their health and safety. Working together, lots of organisations in and around Southampton are offering their expertise for free and small businesses will be given a health and safety boost as a result."
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.
Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR South East
Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
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