Council Hall, Dumfries and Galloway Council Offices, Dumfries
1. 588 invitation letters (see Annex 1) were sent 2nd class to duty holders in the Dumfries and Galloway area (this included 125 LA Dutyholders). PHASS members were also asked to publicise the event locally. Approximately 31companies sent representation to the meeting.
2. 28 feedback sheets were returned at the end of the programme (see Annex 2). All bar 2 included contact e-mail addresses which allowed HSE to issue the handout and HSE presentation (with web links) afterwards. One sheet was anonymous.
3. 17 attendees heard about the event through the HSE invite (61%); 5 attendees heard through the Local Authority (18%); 2 saw the event on the HSE Website (8%); 2 heard via the Scottish Centre for Working Lives (8%); and some via othersources (5%).
4. The aims were to share experience on leading for effective heath and safety management; provide small business with information on where they can go for advice and support; and offer an informal opportunity to meet the regulators involved.
5. On a 5 box tick scale: 18 attendees (65%) thought the aims were fully met (the top score); the remainder thought the aims were partially met (middle) or better (2nd box). No-one ticked 'not met' or below 'partially met'.
6. A selection of comments received showed that attendees found the advice given to be helpful. Both the HSE website and the Healthy Working Lives presentations were singled out for praise.
7. Other comments included: requests to hear more from local businesses; a break during the programme to submit written questions, rather than speaking at the end of the sessions; organisation of the audience into smaller groups to discuss pre-set points; advice on paperwork burden; more case studies; provision of contact details for guest speakers; more regular meetings;and possible breakfast meetings.
8. The event was featured in a news item on HSE's website and a press release was picked up by contractorscompare.com and arco.co.uk.
9. David Wilson of Hetland Garden Centre, one of our presenters, agreed to consider becoming an HSE case study for health and safety leadership in SMEs.
10. BIDS (Business Improvement Districts Scotland) spotted that the PHASS event was taking place and have contacted HSE seeking for speakers to address their meetings of businesses to promote health and safety. The new approach of opening up PHASS meetings and going out on the road has therefore already provided PHASS partners with a further opportunity to reach more businesses. HSE is in touch with the Scottish Centre about the BIDS events.
11. Postage: £190; catering: £118.80
12.A good first effort!
