London calling

For the very first time this year, the health and safety industry’s pre-eminent UK conference will run alongside the industry’s largest exhibition, now in its 30th year. IOSH 2014 and Safety & Health Expo will co-locate at ExCeL London in June for what promises to be an unmissable experience for the occupational safety and health professional, flying the flag for both UK and international health and safety. 

 

Part of UBM’s protection and management series of exhibitions at ExCeL, Safety & Health Expo will offer three days of educational programmes alongside the most innovative products on the market. 

 

Heather Beach, brand director for OSH Global, said: “For a few years now, the show has stayed the same size in Birmingham and it desperately needed a new lease of life.  We are delighted to see that companies are investing in the move to London with a significant increase in participation.

 

“We are welcoming back exhibitors such as BM Polyco to the show as well as some brand new UK and international exhibitors. With the IOSH 2014 conference, RoSPA awards, LiftEx, and some exciting new features at the show, companies looking to meet key decision makers and influencers are firmly behind the move to the UK capital.” 

 

The relocation to London will also open up opportunities for international visitors to the event and the rest of the protection and management series, with organisers UBM Live also having secured discounted rates with airlines and transport providers coming into the capital.

 

Tim Briggs, IOSH president, said: “It’s the first time we’ve had our annual conference run alongside this exhibition. With two world-beating events rolled into one, it promises to be a fantastic experience for our members and anyone else interested in occupational safety and health.”

 

 

The leading associations will be participating in the exhibition, including the British Safety Industry Federation, which will be hosting a product innovation village. RoSPA will host its awards ceremony on 17 June with BOHS delivering the occupational hygiene theatre and of course, IOSH, which will, as ever have a huge presence within the event itself. 

 

As the UK’s leading national show for health and safety, the exhibition is the go-to event, with everything from training and consultancy providers to behavioural safety, drug and alcohol awareness, information services, publications, legal firms, as well as PPE suppliers.

 

Gillian White, marketing manager for Arco, said: “We’ll be there so visitors can come and meet our experts to talk through their needs and challenges. Visitors to our stand will also be able to see one of our mobile confined space units in action.”

 

Safety and Health Expo at a glance

 

There will also be innovations from further afield with a fifth of exhibitors coming from overseas, highlighting the important role the UK market represents internationally. A key educational feature will be the SHP legal and cultural arena — a forum dedicated to safety culture and legal issues, hosted by some of the country’s top lawyers.  Kevin Bridges from Pinsent Masons — and regular contributor to SHP — will be speaking about handling interaction with regulators. Ron Reid, partner at Shoosmiths, will be looking at enforcement trends and likely penalties in the wake of the Sellafield and Network Rail cases.

 

“We are very excited to be part of this year’s SHP legal and cultural arena and we look forward to delivering our innovative training sessions to such an informed audience,” said Richard Green, head of regulatory services group, Hill Dickinson LLP, who will be conducting mock trials on days one and two. 

 

Robin Stowell, managing director at Conversulting Limited, will be speaking about designing, managing and measuring organisational competence as a leading indicator of safety performance. 

 

The lone worker arena, in association with the British Security Industry Association, will have case studies and best practice sessions for lone working professionals. The occupational health theatre will look at topical issues such as the health risks from fracking and the risk of skin cancer in the construction industry.

 

For the first time, LiftEx, the UK’s leading lifting exhibition will also be taking place at Safety & Health Expo. This is dedicated to suppliers presenting their latest lifting products and innovations from the UK and abroad. They will be demonstrating lifting and handling equipment in the LiftEx innovation theatre. 

 

Another vibrant feature planned for the exhibition is safety and health LIVE! where 25-minute live showcase slots demonstrating equipment and PPE will be hosted. This will run across the three-day event and with its engaging and fast moving style is expected to draw big crowds. 

 

Other areas include the working at height knowledge base, which will provide practical and engaging demonstrations centred on advancing safety, best practice and competency when working at height. 

 

There will be interactive sessions in the business driver safety zone, in association with Fleet21 and Volvo, addressing the knowledge gaps surrounding fleet and driver safety identified by professionals nationwide.

 

Simon Turner, managing director of Fleet21, said: “The headline feature is our mock trial and this year’s prosecution is going to concentrate on the consequences for directors and the organisation itself after a serious duty of care failure. It’s a real eye opener and an absolute must see for all driver risk managers and company directors.”

 

Safety & Health Expo is being presented as part of UBM Live’s protection and management series, six major shows in related marketplaces covering safety, energy, environment, facilities, security and fire. 

 

Visitors will have free entry across all six shows, with access to 18 educational theatres and the 1,400 companies participating on the show floors.

 

Both Safety & Health Expo and IOSH 2014 can be easily accessed on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) by alighting at Prince Regent station, the stop after Custom House for ExCeL.

 

The DLR connects with London underground at numerous stations, including Bank, Canning Town, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Tower Hill.

 

For more information visit Safety & Health Expo and the IOSH conference websites.