25 April 2004 - New Health and Safety Forum for the Food and Drink Manufacturing Industries
A new Health and Safety Forum for the food and drink manufacturing industries has been set up by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
Its first meeting, at the headquarters of HSE’s Agriculture and Food Sector, at the exhibition and conference centre at Stoneleigh near Coventry, on 31 March, was chaired by Dr Roger Nourish, Head of the Sector. The Forum will meet twice a year to discuss and devise means to build upon an industry performance that has already seen an injury rate drop of over 20% in the last decade, with members working together in partnership to develop a 'Common Strategy' to pursue the main causes of injury and occupational ill health.
Member organisations of the Food and Drink Manufacturers Health & Safety Forum are:
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Health and Safety Executive (Agriculture and Food Sector)
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Food and Drink Federation
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Health and Safety in Bakeries Liaison Committee
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Meat Joint Working Party
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British Poultry Council
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Dairy Industry Association Ltd
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Agricultural Industries Confederation
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British Beer and Pub Association
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British Soft Drinks Association
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USDAW
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T&G
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GMB
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BFAWU (Bakers Food & Allied Workers’ Union)
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Scotch Whisky Association (papers only)
Roger Nourish, HSE Head of the Sector commented:
“It has taken some years to establish this new Forum and we are certain that it has tremendous potential for directing and helping to improve health and safety in the food and drink industries. Success to date has been effected by everyone working together towards the same goals – companies, trade associations, industry committees, trade unions, safety representatives and HSE inspectors.
“Prior to setting up the Forum, the HSE had to hold meetings with many individual trade associations, committees and trade unions. The new Forum will ensure better communication on health and safety issues within the industry and get us on the same wavelength.
“We want to build on the success of the joint HSE/food industry ‘Recipe for Safety’ initiative which commenced in the early 1990s and has shown how improvements can be made by targeting key issues, agreeing health and safety guidance and everyone following this through.”
The next meeting of the Forum is on 22 September 2004.
