1 October 2002

New H&S Management Scheme

The BPIF is launching a new Health & Safety Management Scheme aimed at improving the overall level of health & safety practices within the UK printing industry."Having completed our Health & Safety Healthchecks at over 200 platinum members? premises in the past year, we have identified this opportunity to provide a cost-effective and controlled method to improve health and safety practices across the whole industry," says Consultancy Development Manager, Graham Arundell. "This is a practical solution which can be delivered either as a complete package or as individual modules to address specific areas.".The BPIF?s National Health, Safety and Environment Advisor Dale Wallis is keen to promote best practice throughout the printing industry. "The results of the Healthcheck show that there is room for improvement and we want to encourage all printing companies to ensure that their practices are up to scratch before they receive a visit from the Health & Safety Executive which appear to be occurring with increasing frequency," he says. "Companies need to be aware that sub-standard health and safety practices can lead to penalties imposed by the HSE ranging from improvement notices and temporary banning orders to hefty fines and even imprisonment. In addition it is a vital aspect in insurance having a significant affect on premiums and in some cases the ability to obtain cover, " he continues.To date, companies wanting to tackle this issue often need to employ consultants on a one-off basis both for assessment and monitoring which can be costly. This new BPIF scheme provides an initial audit programme followed by an itinerary for continual assessment and improvement that is designed to satisfy individual company needs.The areas tackled by the Scheme include:- risk assessments of equipment and processes- control of substances hazardous to health- manual handling- display screen operations- fire risk assessment- noise- competent person and on-going supportThe cost of the complete scheme for an average printer will vary by individual company, but starts from as little as £1250 per year for the continuous assessment and monitoring package although companies can select individual modules at £335 per module. BPIF members will receive a 12% discount. The BPIF is keen to ensure that improvement can be implemented in a controllable way and incorporates an element of training for all staff levels within the company to ensure that at the end of the programme a company is fully equipped to manage their own Health & Safety. The scheme corresponds closely to the Healthcheck to provide a complete service from the BPIF.BPIF CEO Michael Johnson comments, "It is part of our mission to improve the competitiveness and profitability of the industry. This product follows closely from our Environmental Assessment Scheme for magazine printers that was launched in September and will be rolled out industry-wide in the future. Both of these initiatives, plus others which are in development, are carefully designed to meet the needs of our members and add real value to their businesses. The BPIF is in the same position as any business when it comes to commercial services and our products must be relevant, cost-effective and an attractive option for our ?customers? ? our members and the wider industry."