Health and Safety Event 2020

THE HEALTH and Safety Event 2020 is returning to the NEC and is dedicated to improving workplace safety standards. With its central location and excellent transport links, show organisers Nineteen Events are expecting 14,000 workplace professionals across the three-day event.

The range of seminars, features and suppliers available across the three days, it is wider than ever. Now with FIVE high-quality education theatres, hundreds of leading brands at the forefront of health and safety, it makes the NEC the place to be for committed health and safety practitioners.

With well-established brands such as Uvex, Polyco Healthline, Diadora, JSP, Du Pont, Delta Plus, Bolle Safety, Moldex, Portwest, Hultafors and Beeswift participating, it reconfirms the support and confidence of why the Health and Safety Event delivers. There are a number of new international companies also exhibiting for the first time such as Steitz Secura, Wonder Grip and Pure Safety Group.

New to this year’s Health and Safety Event is the Hultafors Group whose PPE and Protective Wear portfolio is designed and certified against the most exacting PPE Standards. The Snickers Workwear ProtecWork range of advanced Protective Wear for heat and flame, electrostatic, mechanical and chemical risk environments is complimented by the new specialist equipment from Hellberg Safety, which includes hearing and face protection products plus communication solutions for personal safety on site. Complimenting both is the Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety footwear ranges, which combine top quality design and safety features with excellent value for money to deliver unrivalled comfort and protection for a wide range of user requirements. 

Keynote speech

This year, the exhibition boasts a new initiative in collaboration with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and introduces the HSE Connect Theatre. The whole industry revolves around legislation, and as the regulator for this, The Health and Safety Event is honoured to be directly involved with HSE to create a content programme that gives direct insight to practitioners.

The new chief executive of the HSE, Sarah Albon, is using The Event to outline the regulator's role in ensuring senior management leadership on health and safety within an organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity for delegates to hear the HSE’s new CEO and learn of the regulator's future focus and strategy. There will also be a minute silence at 11am to mark Workers' Memorial Day. Held on 28 April every year and officially recognised by the UK government, we will remember those who were killed at work and ensure such tragedies are not repeated. Sarah will also be undertaking a question and answer session which is open to all delegates.

The key educational programme will be delivered in the Conference Theatre, the content for which has been curated by the event’s official educational partner, the British Safety Council (BSC). Using its considerable experience and expertise as one of the world’s leading health and safety organisations, the BSC has handpicked a line-up of eminent speakers, who will share their thoughts and ideas on the main challenges facing the profession today. 

This year, the Conference Theatre is split into three different themes - day one covers the significance of regulatory framework and compliance, day two covers risk management and day three covers health and wellbeing in the modern workplace.

Panel debates

The Knowledge Exchange is being hosted by Health and Safety Matters magazine and is sponsored by Southalls. This interactive theatre features active participation with the audience and live Q & A sessions covering key issues and topics such as respiratory protection, RIDDOR, legislation updates, working at height, managing work in confined spaces and more.

The new Professional Development Zone sponsored by HSE Recruitment Network will have a team of advisors on hand to offer expert advice to advance your career and support your future growth as a health and safety professional. The zone area will feature live onstage interviews and a series of training, workshops and content sessions, this interactive zone will equip you with the tools and techniques to unlock your potential.

The Lone Worker Theatre in partnership with Lone Worker Safety Live is hosted by Nicole Vazquez. Her speciality and experience is in lone and vulnerable workers. If you have people working in areas where they could be working in remote locations, or late at night then these sessions can give advice on the responsibilities for looking after these workers.

Falls from height are the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the major causes of major injuries. That's why the Access Industry Forum (AIF) - the forum for the eleven principal associations and federations involved in work at height - will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the latest advances and developments in height safety. Each organisation represents a different sector of the access industry and fosters and supports codes of good practice, equipment standards, training, education and knowledge. 

'What to choose? Don't be confused!' is a brand new presentation from the AIF in the Knowledge Exchange, 14.30 - 16.00 on Tuesday the 28th. It highlights the different access options available and the key factors to consider for safe and effective work at height. It will be followed by a panel discussion and an introduction to the work and role of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Work at Height and the UK charity, the No Falls Foundation - the only UK registered charity dedicated to height safety and keeping people safe. 

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) will have a designated networking area and will be offering support and guidance on a number of occupational health and safety issues as well as promoting their key initiatives including the importance of buying from a Registered Safety Supplier (RSSS) which ensures equipment they offer meets the appropriate standards, fully complies with the PPE regulations and is appropriately CE marked. New for this year, BSIF are working with SATRA and Trading Standards. You will be able to receive advice and examples of the dangers of buying counterfeit products.

This is just an overview of some of the highlights of the show. You can register for the free event, which includes access to the seminar theatres and the co-located exhibitions.

The Health and Safety Event takes place at NEC Birmingham on 28-30 April 2020. To register for your FREE pass, visit www.healthandsafetyevent.com