Posted By Tracey Docking Has anyone got any tried/tested ideas on how to positively promote H&S and create interest. Thinking along the lines of interactive things rather than leaflet/posters for office environments. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Posted By Alec Wood Promote the idea that we are all involved. Maybe form a safety committee. If you are in a non-union plant it is easier to pick the poeple you wish to co-opt onto it, or have them elected by the workers in each area. If your restricted to the union reps then there's nothing stopping you having an extra advisory or sub-committee. The "loudmouth" as mentioned earlier is one of the guys you need on such a committee. Publish the full minutes (un-censored) of every meeting to show transparency, this will help develop employee confidence that their concerns are addressed. Many companies run a ideas-rewards scheme, make sure yours includes safety, not just productivity. Promote the benefits with specific examples of employees getting something out of H&S activities. A good example at this company was the issue of smart (not yellow) warm jackets to the warehouse staff who had previously been left to wear twenty layers of company uniform to keep warm. People will be much more likely to get involved if there is something in it for them. During audits I take a couple of guest employees, one from the dept being audited, one from a dept whose activities or environment are completely different. Inter-dept rivalry means they get a real buzz out of finding things and let's face it, everyone likes a break from the normal daily grind. It raises their awareness and knowledge too. Include H&S KPI's in all managers' annual pay and performance reviews. Consider making an award (maybe a cash, free cinema tickets or similar) every month/quarter to the department with the best recorded performance against a given indicator - be carefull setting the targets though so not to penalise those working in inherently higher risk environments. This is without doubt one of the hardest parts of the job and I wish you luck in it!

Posted By Peter Lee Try some practical workshops, sensory depravation is a good way of focusing the mind, blindfolds to highlight consequences of loss of sight, rubber gloves with cotton wool stuffed in the fingers to highlight consequences of loss of touch, etc etc. Find out about their hobbies, would they be able to carry them out with a bad back, amputated finger etc etc. Try not to preach legislation at them, (sure fire way of making their eyes glaze over)try to get them to think of the benefits of good health and safety, less lost time, fewer accidents, more motivated staff, not just compliance with legislation. "Health and Safety's just common sense innit" be ready for this old chestnut with some anecdotal evidence.