Woodwork safety is topping the agenda at a conference organised by Health and Safety Works NI, due to be held this week.

The advisory panel, part of the Health and Safety Executive, has timed the training to coincide with the final phase of regulations relating to the braking of woodworking machinery.

When compared to other industries, woodworking has a poor health and safety record with a high number of serious machinery accidents occurring each year.

Workers within the industry are also exposed to some very real health issues and managing health and safety presents a challenge for employers as they try to come to terms with the relevant legislation and control the risks arising from their work activities.

During a pre-event survey, woodworking firms from across Northern Ireland asked for guidance on how to comply with these regulations, advice on guarding woodworking machinery and help with health and safety paperwork and risk assessment.

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The half day workshop will tackle these important topics and also focus on the other main hazards of working in the woodworking industry including controlling wood dust with local exhaust ventilation, manual and materials handling and managing noise in the workplace.

Organised in partnership with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland the event will be held at South Eastern Regional College in Lisburn.

David Lowe, Senior Adviser with HSWNI, said: "We have tailored the workshop in direct response to the needs of woodworking employers and this is their chance find out what steps they can take to better manage their health and safety and keep within the law."

The workshop will be of benefit to business owners, HR managers, production managers and safety officers across a range of woodworking businesses from kitchen manufacturers to shop fitters to site joiners.

Maire Devlin, NI Director, Federation of Master Builders, said: "Protecting workers should be a priority for woodworking firms and it also makes good business sense. I know that employers will find this event an extremely useful starting point to tackling their health and safety."

The half-day workshop will be held in South Eastern Regional College, Lisburn on 29 October 2008 with registration from 9am.

The cost is £20 per delegate which includes lunch and an information pack with a copy of the excellent Woodworking Approved Code of Practice.

Anyone requiring more information or wishing to attend should contact Fiona Garrett on

028 9040 8015 or email [email protected] or Audrey Haggan at HSWNI on 028 9040 8007 or email [email protected]

(PR/JM)