Sah Sen Consulting, pledges free training to help tackle 4000 asbestos death toll

Sah Sen Consulting is playing its part in a Britain-wide drive to help tradesmen protect themselves from asbestos.

Sah Sen Consulting has accepted the invitation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the training industry by pledging 120 free training hours to help reach a poignant target of 4000 – a number which reflects the approximate number of deaths each year from asbestos-related diseases.

Sah Sen Consulting will be holding the free asbestos awareness training on the 14th November 2011 at The Monk’s Yard at Horton Cross, conveniently located between Taunton, Yeovil and Chard. The training is aimed at building tradesmen who are most likely to disturb the fibres as they go about their work – around 20 a week lose their lives to asbestos-related diseases.

Kate Field from Sah Sen Consulting says:

“We welcomed the opportunity to be involved in such a worthwhile initiative. Though there is little that can be done to help those already suffering the effects of asbestos from exposure years ago, we can help prevent this hidden killer claiming another generation by ensuring there is good quality and accessible training out there. Hopefully the 120 free hours we have pledged will make a real difference to how tradesmen in Somerset approach jobs – putting their health first.”

“We’d also like to thank The Monk’s Yard for supporting this initiative by providing the venue free of charge.”

Those wanting to see what has been pledged in their area should visit the campaign website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training-pledge.htm.

Those wanting to book their free place with Sah Sen Consulting should email Kate Field directly: kate@sahsen.co.uk

Notes for editors:

• The free asbestos awareness training will be available throughout Britain in October and November

• Tradesman who are most likely to come into contact with asbestos include: Heating and ventilation engineers, demolition workers, carpenters and joiners, plumbers, roofing contractors, painters and decorators , plasterers, construction workers, fire and burglar alarm installers, shop fitters, gas fitters, computer installers, general maintenance staff e.g. caretakers, telecommunications engineers, building surveyors, cable layers and electricians

• Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 details training requirements.

There are three main types:-

1] asbestos awareness training – for workers likely to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out;
2] training for non-licensable asbestos work – for those workers undertaking planned work with asbestos which is not licensable, such as a roofer or demolition worker removing a whole asbestos cement sheet in good condition or for workers such as asbestos surveyors;
3] training for licensable work with asbestos – for those working with asbestos which is licensable such as removing asbestos insulation or insulating board.

• Queries about Sah Sen Consulting’s pledge: kate@sahsen.co.uk 0772 501 7235

• General media queries about the initiative to HSE press office: liz.carridge@hse.gsi.gov.uk 0151 951 4684

 

(Business) life is like a box of chocolates

It is the month of chocolatiers dreams, when sales of boxes of chocolates go through the roof. On pondering this and the commercialisation of romance, it occurred to me that business life is like a box of chocolates.

Not that you don't know what you're going to get (as a certain Mr Gump said) - although that is sometimes true. Rather it's that we have our favourite chocolates which we pick first and then we have the one's we don't like and leave, hoping that someone else will eat them.

In business, we have the things we love. It might be choosing new products for our range, meeting new clients and customers, or developing a marketing strategy. Whatever it is, we will always opt for it first.

Then there are the 'don't mind those chocolates'. Answering emails, stock takes, business meetings. We may not love them but we know they need to be eaten and won't taste too bad. Finally there are the coffee crèmes of the chocolate box. The ones we hate and don't want to eat - accounts and health and safety. At this time of year, everyone has succumbed and eaten the accounts chocolate but how many of you have tackled health and safety? And don't forget fire safety (the orange crème of the chocolate box?). Yes of course there are specific health and safety regulations but despite what you may have read in the papers, these are actually about sensible, practical measures, allowing you to get on and do the job, or as Lord Young put it 'common sense, common safety'.

Health and safety doesn't stop pancake races, children from playing conkers or using a ladder to change a light bulb. Good health and safety and fire safety is about taking a sensible approach that enables you to run an effective, profitable business.

If you've been putting health and safety off, now is the time to take a bite and show your business and the people who keep that business going for you (yes your employees) 'the love' and take a bite and order the Sah Sen health, safety and fire starter pack today.

The starter pack includes:

• Health, Safety and Fire Policy Statement and Arrangments document
• Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment
• Fire Safety Risk Assessment
• Fire Emergency Plan

Each of these items is a miminum requirement i.e. if you haven't got it, your not complying with the law! Plus it includes a free health and safety law poster, first aid kit and accident book. The Sah Sen starter pack is aimed at those of you that are new businesses or have been putting it off. It will cover the basics and get things kick started. Go on - it may not taste as bad as you think! And for February only - you'll get a free box of chocolates too. Just quote 'coffee crème' when you contact me.