Accredited Training Organisation.

     Real Safety Training & Instruction.

We are now in partnership with VTS TRaining:  Read ON....

V T S Training:    www.vtstraining.co.uk

At VTS Training, we are committed to providing Life Long Learning for companies that recognise the value in developing the skills of their workforce.
Training and assessment is delivered throughout the East of England by our wide network of fully qualified and experienced training consultants. We have an enviable record of accomplishment that has supported public and private sectors of industry. We specialise in the delivery of work based accredited qualifications including Apprenticeships, National Vocational Qualifications and Vocationally  Related Qualifications, all the skills required that add up to a rewarding and successful career. 

We have access to a variety of training options including e-learning and blended learning packages this enables us to tailor training programmes to meet the individual needs of your organisation.

We also offer a free no obligation consultancy service that can identify your companies training requirements and potential funding options to ensure that your training solution is as cost effective as possible.

      We can train your staff how to lift items manually and safely, this inturn will reduce staff absence due to back injury.  Please feel free to conact us with your enquiry, we are happy to assist.

REMEMBER!

Manual Handling? Never Take Chances, follow the rules and Regulations.

Case study 1

Manual handling injury claims cost a
company £150 000 over a 3 year period.
This totalled 20% of their employers’
liability claims.

Case study 2

In one year a firm lost 373 working days
because of manual handling injuries. This
cost about £24 000 in wages paid to
absent workers. There were also overtime
payments and other costs. The
introduction of handling aids, manual
handling training, and a rehabilitation
programme reduced days lost to 74 and
wage costs to about £5000.Costs to employers

EMPLOYERS!!!

 Are you ready for the new Corporate Manslaughter/Homicide Law? 20 Feb 08
Companies could face prosecution when changes to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 come into force in April 2008 making it easier for businesses to be held liable for serious failures in Health and Safety.

The Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) is advising small firms to review their health and safety procedures in order to better protect employees, customers and contractors in preparation for when the Corporate Manslaughter Act becomes law.

From 6th April 2008, business owners and company directors will be held liable for the new offence of corporate manslaughter if their management practices cause a person's death or amount to a gross breach of the duty of care owed to the deceased. In addition to potentially unlimited fines, a further punishment will include publicity orders to expose a firm's alleged wrongdoing.

"Businesses should also take out directors' and officers'liability insurance cover as well" recommends Philip Moody, the FPB's senior members representative. "It is important that small firms act now to protect themselves, their employees, customers and contractors, or face paying the price further down the line".

It is important that in the event of an accident, fatal or otherwise that all documentation relevant to the training of operators is available for inspection, so that it can be shown that a company's own health and safety procedures are being adhered to and that the Health and Safety Executive's recommendations with regard to lift truck safety are being followed.
Are you ready for the new Corporate Manslaughter/Homicide Law? 20 Feb 08

Firm fined 40,00 pounds and Manager Fined 3,000 pounds for Lift Truck Death 12 Dec 07
The employers of a young man crushed to death in a lift truck accident have been fined for breaching health and safety legislation, alongside the manager who condoned dangerous work practices.

Chester Crown Court heard that a fitter aged 27 who worked at a cabinet making company in Liverpool was involved in a fatal accident in April 2006. The accident occurred while the fitter and his manager were trying to fix some large cabinets together using bolts placed through pre-drilled holes. These holes did not align, so the manager used a forklift to raise one of the cabinets into position. The fitter meanwhile climbed onto the body of the truck and leant between the mast and forks in order to line up the holes. The engine was left running throughout.

The court was told that as the two were slightly raising and lowering the forks to get the alignment right, one of the cabinets began to fall and the manager moved in to try and catch it. At that point, it is thought that the fitter, who had one foot on the dashboard, stepped back onto a lever which caused the forks to rise. He was crushed in front of his workmates, suffering severe injuries to his head, chest and back. He died instantly.

The subsequent joint police and HSE investigation uncovered 'numerous' other unsafe practices employed by the staff at the company.

The company was charged with breaching Sections 2(1)and 33(1)(a) of the HSWA 1974. After the case a senior officer of the Chester police said that some of the company's work practices were 'foolhardy, dangerous and illegal'

The manager, who had a duty of care to the deceased as a fellow employee and as his direct manager and supervisor, was charged with two alternative offences: the manslaughter of the fitter and breaching Section 7 of the HSWA. He was acquitted of manslaughter but found guilty of the HSWA offences.

Speaking after the case, investigating HSE inspector Iain Evans said 'The company had no adequate health and safety management system, and a culture of not perceiving risks'.

'The company should have provided more specific training for its lift truck drivers as well as general health and safety training for management' he added It should also have updated its safety policy, which at the time of the accident had not been revised since 1998..

The company which pleaded guilty was fined 35,000 pounds with 5,000 pounds costs. The manager, who pleaded not guilty was fined 2,000 pounds, with costs of 3,000 pounds.

In mitigation, the firm said it deeply regretted the accident and that it had not been seeking to gain commercially from cutting corners. It added that it has since put control measures in place.

The HSE inspector added 'This was a tragic accident which could have been avoided. Forklift trucks were responsible for just under 2000 reportable incidents last year, including seven deaths'.

'Employers must ensure that they assess the risks involved in any use of these vehicles and take appropriate steps to counter those risks. They must also provide adequate health and safety training for any employees operating forklift trucks'.

NEVER Use more than one truck to transport or lift a load.