Below you will find health, safety, ergonomics and other links we want to include as a data base for our visitors. There is a list of links then below a short introduction for each one. Please suggest ones you have found useful with a short explanation of why it is worth visiting. You could do this by e-mail, or by using the feedback form in the 'contact us' page. We cannot guarantee inclusion but will seriously consider doing so.
Not being included in our list does not imply any failure, inadequacy or disapproval. We do strongly recommend that where information is being sought on health, safety, ergonomics or related matters, that you first check on the qualifications of the website authors. As a minimum, look for full membership of IOSH or the Ergonomics Society or for professional qualifications that indicate an appropriate level of knowledge and practical application relevant to the topic. There are, unfortunately, websites purporting to provide legal and technical advice where the standards fall far short of satisfactory.
Inclusion of an internet site address on these pages is not a recommendation, they are provided for your own evaluation as to whether they are of use to you or your organisation. We cannot be responsible for their content or accuracy, nor for their continued existence at the address given. We have provided a quick link to each website below and more details further down this page. They are in no particular order and include:
MBA SAFETY & TRAINING LIMITED - Our main partner organisation based in the south west - Taunton, run by Mike Browne and supported by a dedicated, highly qualified team. We work extensively with MBA on training projects and other matters. They provide a wide range of auditing and consultancy services, training including IOSH accredited 'Managing Safely' and 'Safety for Senior Executives'. With extensive involvement in the construction industry, they provide Planning Supervisor services, site inspection, scaffold inspection courses and more: www.mbasafety.co.uk
THE ERGONOMICS SOCIETY - The home of the professional body for ergonomics practitioners and researchers in the UK, and those who want more advice! Go now to www.ergonomics.org.uk
DRIVING ERGONOMICS - Website resulting from a research project undertaken jointly by Loughborough University and HJ Consultancy, this website concentrates on ergonomics related to driving. It includes advice on car selection and posture. The research confirms what many high mileage drivers report, that long driving hours can often result in lower back pain. www.drivingergonomics.com
INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH - IOSH - The official website for the primary professional body for safety practitioners in the UK and providing much useful information. www.iosh.co.uk
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE - HSE - The official website of the body responsible, on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission and Government, for enforcement of health and safety law in the UK. A wealth of information BUT sometimes seriously annoying as they constantly change page addresses so your saved 'favourites' may not work when you revisit. Despite that the site should be a first stop when looking for information. Current pages of interest include the information about stress and 'draft stress management standards'. www.hse.gov.uk
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY - The Government department with responsibility for health and safety at work. Can be a useful starting point for searches: www.dti.gov.uk
NATIONAL RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION BOARD - NRPB - Now part of the Health Protection Agency: www.hpa.org.uk/
RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS - Carries out research on a number of topics, for example seating in cars. They have a guide on choosing cars for the older or disabled driver which can be found by going to the 'reports' page. www.ricability.org.uk
HSE BOOKS - NOTE - NEW ADDRESS The suppliers of any 'priced' and 'free' Health and Safety Executive publications, Research Reports, various records books, posters and more. Includes a Bookfinder search facility and all publications can be ordered on-line. Unfortunately, HSE Books no longer provide an account facility for new customers so payment has to be made with an order making the process less user friendly for regular buyers. www.hsebooks.com
HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY - Formed in 2003 and taking over most of the activities previously undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service. The HPA has also absorbed what was known as the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). Advisory service to the Government, provider of information about health risks, terrorist use of infectious disease etc: www.hpa.org.uk/
FIRE SAFETY - The Government Home Page for fire safety. A very worthwhile link to know as it includes further links, for example, contact details for every UK Fire Brigade. There is information about fire safety in the home. All round a very useful site to start a search on fire safety: www.firekills.gov.uk/index.htm
H M STATIONERY OFFICE - This is where you could once download Acts and Regulations but this function is now undertaken by the ODPI, see link below. www.hmso.gov.uk
OFFICE OF PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION - Available here, amongst other things, are copies of Statutory Instruments (Regulations) and Acts of Parliament going back to the 1980's. They are available to download or print free! The delay in their posting is usually short so this is an excellent way to be quick off the mark in identifying what is new and might affect your business. I still keep thinking this is too good to be true and expect an invoice every month but none has ever appeared so make use of this excellent facility. www.opsi.gov.uk
HIGHWAY CODE - Do you know the difference between a Pelican, Puffin, Toucan and Zebra crossing? If not perhaps a visit to the current version of the highway code is a good idea. Constantly updated version at: www.highwaycode.gov.uk/index.shtml
THE ROYAL SOCIETY for the PROMOTION of HEALTH - A very long established and significant professional body with a very diverse and esteemed membership. Interests range from public health, occupational safety, nutrition to heart disease. This is NOT just for doctors so have a look! www.rsph.org
ROYAL SOCIETY for PREVENTION of ACCIDENTS - Long established organisation dedicated to seeking an accident free environment at work, at home, on the roads and anywhere else! Can be a good source of information, contacts and accredited training and other links: www.rospa.co.uk
BRITISH OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE SOCIETY - Professional body representing specialist in occupational hygiene although membership is widely based. Website provides an on-line library, list of consultants who are member of the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (formed in January 2003), and many other useful topics: www.bohs.org
BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL - Slightly misleadingly named as they are not an official government body, but does provide plenty of information, services and sales of books, safety signs etc. Not our favourite organisation but they do provide a useful resource and can provide other services such as auditing and training: www.britsafe.org
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ASSOCIATION - Only in recent years recognised as a real health problem and probably responsible for huge numbers of people not having a very pleasant autumn and winter. SAD could also play a role in accident causation in some cases and may also be a factor in work related stress due to the depressive nature of the effects. Please learn more about this debilitating complaint at: www.sada.org.uk/
ALLERGY UK - tThe leading medical charity for people with an allergy. Provides some useful information which includes lists of products with the charity seal of approval and information on chemical allergy and useful tips. There is a list of fact sheets on allergies but unfortunately they are not available on line: www.allergyuk.org
PERSONAL SAFETY IN UK AND ABROAD - The Suzy Lamplugh Trust website which provides advice and links to other useful information. Provides the facility to search for information about other countries before travelling and includes contact numbers, health risks and other personal risks likely to be present: www.suzylamplugh.org/
HOME OFFICE - The Government Department responsible for law and order. Find the full versions and rules regarding PACE and much more:
BRILLIANT EXAMPLES OF REALLY BAD DESIGN - Do you frequently curse machine designers who have no idea about maintenance issues, architects who made the building look pretty but is hopeless to work in? This site may amuse and make you shake your head in despair. I'm very interested in this subject area so if you have any good examples why not send a picture and short description to me and I might publish it on our website, a 'bad designs uk' version. www.baddesigns.com
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE - An award winning site to provide advice on legal issues to those who find it difficult to secure conventional advice. Includes an interactive calculator to check eligibility for legal aid. www.justask.org.uk
JARGON BUSTER SOFTWARE - This simple tool for identifying unecessary jargon in documents and presentations is provided by Deloitte. This downloadable software operates in Word and PowerPoint like a spellchecker. Use it at your own peril! (downloadable wouldn't get past it) www.dc.com/insights/bullfighter You might also want to look at: www.plainenglish.co.uk
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT - Visit the website for the organisation that represents qualified physiotherapists in the UK - PhysioFirst. Find out your nearest treatment specialist and how to contact them at: www.physiofirst.org.uk
CHARTERED SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPIST - Professional body representing qualified physiotherapists in the UK. Different to Physiofirst, this website can provide considerable help. One interesting item is the 'drivers guide', a help for vehicle drivers. www.csp.org.uk/
CANADA'S NATIONAL CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION - Canadian Government website providing a useful resource for safety professionals. www.ccohs.ca/
THIS IS BROKEN - a website dedicated to showing examples of bad design, bad communication, bned anything that people send in. There is one link of particular interest - to Japanese safety signs - never again will you criticise european safety signs for being obscure!. www.thisisbroken.com
BRANDON TOOL HIRE - NOT A RECOMMENDATION AS A TOOL HIRE COMPANY AND WE HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THEM COMMERCIALLY. WHAT THEY PROVIDE ON THEIR WEBSITE IS A USEFUL REFERENCE TOOL ON VIBRATION WITH A HUGE LIST OF TOOLS WHICH CAN CAUSE HAND/ARM VIBRATION (HAV's) AND CALCULATED MAXIMUM USE TIMES. www.brandontoolhire.co.uk
ABILITYNET - This online service provides a self-help service for computer users. This guide helps with customising a computer including aids to seeing the screen, keyboard shortcuts, language and reading, and much much more. This can form part of a muti-faceted approach to solving some issues of comuter use for any person with an individual difficulty: www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway
| 
