IOSH Rural Industries Group is co-hosting a networking event next month with the Royal Life Saving Society UK and WaterWise Training Limited to raise awareness of occupational water safety.
The networking event ‘Occupational water safety – a new frontier’ was prompted by an article by Alan Plom, vice-chair of the IOSH Rural Industries Group, in SHP earlier this year, which posed the question – ‘Is there any training out there?’
The one-day event takes place at the Nene Whitewater Centre in Northampton on 6 November.
Mr Plom’s SHP article highlighted significant implications for those responsible for managing operations on water, and an apparent gap in suitable training.
Working with the Royal Life Saving Society UK and WaterWise Training Limited, the event will raise awareness of the issues and precautions associated with occupational water safety, in order to promote safe working on or near water.
The networking event will provide delegates with information on two recently developed training packages – the RLSS UK’s National Water Safety Management Programme and the WaterWise Training Foundation Course – and includes demonstrations for safer working on or near water and emergency rescue procedures.
Describing the origin and format of the event Mr Plom said: “My article stimulated just the response I hoped and coincidentally proved very timely for our two co-organisers. They were in the process of developing different approaches to training for those managing and working in what can be very hazardous environments. Several of the speakers will share their own experiences of tragic incidents and ‘near misses’, and the realisation that – like so many others – their training and preparation for operations on or adjacent to water was lacking.”
Finally, on a personal, poignant note, Alan added: “This unique event will also be a fitting tribute to the late Peter Burns, the HSE inspector whose prosecution case stimulated the SHP article, and I am grateful to SHP for publishing and promoting it.”
For further information about the event programme and attending, visit: http://bit.ly/1WdbHDa
