The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has been awarded the specialist SME Assistance Trophy from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Accepting the award, Michael Lee, membership director at the BWF said: “We are delighted to be honoured with this award, which recognises the BWF’s commitment to health and safety. It is testament not just to the dedication of the team here, but to the input we have had from our members, helping to hone the information with their practical experience.

“But this is not enough – we need to keep improving together. Our new Health and Safety Hero Campaign is the next chapter, bringing information to life and focusing on how companies can introduce a revitalised approach to safety culture into their workforce.”

The BWF Health and Safety Hero campaign aims to achieve zero tolerance in respect of fatal injuries, RIDDOR related incidents and occupational ill health accidents. BWF members are being asked to pledge their commitment.

Each month for the next 12 months a topic will be covered in detail by the BWF to provide participants with the guidance they need to target the most common areas for accidents and injuries and to challenge any bad cultural habits that may have crept into the workplace. Resources including videos, training presentations and health and safety checklists, which can be adapted to fit in with members’ existing business processes will be provided.

Topics will include tackling wood dust, noise, machine training and manual handling, among many other vital issues. Particular attention is paid to health and safety systems and process, with an aim to create a safer culture. 

Robin Baker, general manager of Premdor, a director of BWF and lead member for Health and Safety, is a major driving force behind the campaign. Robin said:

“Nothing less than wholesale culture change is enough to tackle what is still across the wider sector unacceptably high rates of accidents and injuries.  In my own business we have been through a major shift and it has made a difference. This is something I want to see extended throughout the sector. There is no excuse if you are working in any kind of business to cut corners and risk life and limb. This campaign is structured for small and large companies, it focuses on simple steps and we encourage all BWF members to get on board.”

Further information on the BWF Health and Safety Hero campaign is available here: http://www.bwf.org.uk/campaigns/health-and-safety