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There was something for everyone at this year’s Safety & Health Expo, with a diverse programme of seminars and debates covering a host of hot health & safety topics.
So in case you were too busy taking in the show, or couldn’t make it, here are some of the highlights of this year’s Safety & Health Expo.
Sir Clive Woodward, the coach behind England’s famous Rugby World Cup victory in 2003 and a member of the British Olympic management in 2012, revealed the secrets behind his teams’ successes, and how they revolve around preparation and a willingness to embrace technology and data.
Mental health in the workplace
One of the hot topic’s this year was what place mental health and wellness should play in the modern health & safety agenda. The Occupational Health & Wellbeing Zone made its debut and hosted a raft of seminars and debates on the subject.
One debate saw Dr Dominic Cooper, a regular opponent to mental health being added to the responsibilities of health & safety departments, put his arguments forward to the audience and a panel of mental health proponents.
On that note, Heather Beach, Managing Director at The Healthy Work Company, gave attendees a lesson in mental health first aid. The company’s course is not about providing therapy or diagnosing someone but providing the tools for a person to provide support to a friend or colleague in need.
High rise buildings
One year on from Grenfell, the safety of high rise buildings and responsibility for fire safety was the key topic at the Expo’s partner event FIREX International.
Health & safety is experiencing a lot of development, whether that be internal to the profession and the way that the sector operates, or through the technology that is influencing and enhancing how health & safety is monitored and enforced.
An SHP debate discussed whether health & safety has an image problem and how it can shed its reputation as a downbeat, overbearing and restrictive impact on business and showcase the engaging and progressive side of health & safety.
Another panel looked at the ways that new technology like drones, autonomous vehicles, the internet of things and Virtual Reality could revolutionise health & safety, but also present new issues that we must react to in order to keep workers and the public safe.
Louise Taggart, Founder of Michael’s Story and public speaker on workplace health & safety, was voted Most Influential by SHP readers. Louise topped the list of inspirational, innovative and industrious individuals, the top 15 of which can be found here.
Professional Development
The Professional Development Theatre gave visitors to the Expo the opportunity to receive pointers on how to progress in the sector, hear stories about important career experiences and discuss how we can utilise training to engage our workforces in health & safety matters.
A panel of recruitment experts discussed the key skills needed to be a modern health & safety professional, noting the vital importance of ‘soft skills’ when interacting with colleagues and effectively getting across your safety message, and technical skills, and knowing when to ask for help.
The show’s Networking Forum gave health & safety professionals the opportunity to meet, network and discuss ideas and partnerships.
SHP's sister site, IFSEC Insider has released its annual Fire Safety Report for 2023, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry.Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.Plus, explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title="Click here for more information and to view this Fire Safety eBook" color="danger" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ifsecglobal.com%2Fresources-1%2Ffire-safety-report-2023-is-industry-ready-to-embrace-safety-culture%2F|target:_blank"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="88417"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Things you may have missed at Safety & Health Expo 2018There was something for everyone at this year’s Safety & Health Expo, with a diverse programme of seminars and debates covering a host of hot health & safety topics.
Edward Perchard
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources
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