The manufacture of fabricated metal products, such as quarrying equipment, is one sector in the Northern Ireland economy that is growing.

The numerous engineering firms located across Northern Ireland generate this growth and these businesses are to be encouraged and supported as they grow.

One of the main risks to success is failure to manage workplace health and safety. Being struck by moving or falling objects, inadequate machinery guarding and poor lock out during maintenance activities are some of the main causes of accidents in the manufacturing sector.

A lack of paperwork, together with inadequate training and maintenance records adds to the problem when a Health and Safety inspector calls to investigate an accident.

However, Health and Safety Works NI (HSWNI), the small business advisory service of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, is holding the first of a series of workshops designed specifically to help engineering firms better manage health and safety in the workplace.

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Audrey Haggan, Principal Adviser with HSWNI says: "We have designed the workshop in response to the needs of engineering employers. The speakers delivering the sessions have been carefully chosen for their wealth of experience on their given subjects."

Organised in partnership with the Engineering Training Council and EEF, the Manufacturers' Organisation, the workshop will be held in the practical setting of the South Eastern Regional College and will address issues such as lifting and slinging, forklift truck maintenance, guarding and lock out systems together with essential paperwork and record keeping."

Conor Wilson, of Lockton Risk Management, and keynote speaker at the event commented: "Managing health and safety should be a key business priority for engineering employers and if they are serious about reducing injuries in their workplace I don't see how they can afford to miss an event like this."

The half-day workshop will take place in South Eastern Regional College, Bangor on Tuesday 30 October 2007, with registration from 9.30am. It costs £20 per delegate, and this includes lunch and a copy of the HSE guidance publication: 'Health and Safety in Engineering Workshops - an Employer's Guide'.

Anyone wishing to attend the workshop should contact HSWNI by phoning 028 9040 8007 or email: [email protected].

(JM)