The following report was sent by Council member and Chair of the Training & Education Committee, Lorraine Larman.
The Dewar Centre was an excellent venue and the day was sponsored and organised by Tayside Contracts. We were greeted by Margaret Davidson, Liz Grillo (HSE) and Susie Boffery.
Approximately 100 people attended from all over the region including cleaners, supervisors, managers and machine manufacturers. The day started with an introduction from Iain Waddell (MD Tayside Contracts) followed by Norma Naismith (HSE). Next we had an introduction to risk assessments led by Alastair McGown (EHO and new Chairman of the Cleaning Industry Liaison Forum).
On our name badges we had a coloured spots and at this point we left the main room and split into 4 workshop groups:
- Slips, Trips and Falls - led by Kevin Hallas (Pedestrian Safety Specialist, HSL). This was particularly interesting, especially the facts on safety shoes or the not so safety shoes!
- Musculoskeletal Disorders - led by Chris Quarrie (Ergonomics Specialist Inspector, HSE). Chris gave a very intense, hands-on training session on how to use the Manual Handling Assessment Chart. This is a very impressive and easy to use tool when carrying out a manual handling risk assessments. It is well worth taking a closer look at: www.hse.gov.uk/msd.
- Training and Competence - led by Colin Hanks (Training & Education Manager, BICSc). Colin was preaching to the converted, but his workshop caused a lot of interest and questions. It was felt that this element complemented the day’s activities, emphasising that BICSc standards endorse H&S in all the training schemes and demonstrating how BICSc certification can enhance and motivate cleaning staff.
- Machinery Safety - led by Rick Hollebon (Industrial Cleaning Machine Manufacturers Association - ICMMA). Rick’s workshop was very informative and you could say explosive! His facts on the types of machinery and types of dirt and soil that we pick up came from someone that has been in the industry for many years with many stories!
Finally, we all attended a open question time and a closing speech by Ian (Churchill) Shepherd (Head of Facilities Services, Tayside Contracts), who had the audience mesmerised with his closing few words in the style of one of Winston Churchill’s famous speeches.
All in all it was a good day was had by all.