From the Secretary’s desk
May 1st 2009 With the clocks going forward and lighter evenings, coupled with the sunny weather, we should all be feeling better despite the difficult financial climate which will be affecting every BSIF member. At this time of year much of the external work that was put on hold during the winter is now being re-activated and while there is a significant downturn in the construction sector, there are still many civil engineering and refurbishment contracts being completed. It is apparent that the recession does not only affect construction, with workers being laid-off in other industry sectors as well. This all contributes to a constant re-appraisal of budgets and forecasts by management as companies deal with lower volumes and margin drift.
For some time now, the BSIF has been promoting the philosophy that worker health and safety should not be compromised as a result of the economic down-turn. Appropriate attention to worker health and safety is always a good investment as the alternatives tend to be much more costly when accidents result in sickness absence, compensations claims, higher insurance premiums and potential criminal proceedings.
Whilst budgets are less generous than in the past, the BSIF is still a focus for financial support from the government to help companies with their export programmes. Organisations registered on the scheme which exhibited at the Dubai Intersec have now received their cheques and the BSIF is currently planning how it will develop further support for companies wishing to exhibit at A+A later this year.
The Safety & Health Expo in May provides a focus for the safety industry and the BSIF is to take full advantage of this. In addition to promoting two respiratory initiatives, the HSE supported "Clean Air? - Take Care!" campaign and the "Fit2Fit" accreditation scheme for fit-testers, the BSIF will be promoting Phase II of the "It's in your hands" campaign to reduce work-related dermatitis, its drive to eliminate counterfeit and illegal safety products from the UK safety market and its Registered Safety Supplier scheme. Plans are now advanced for the 2009 BSIF Networking Day, the safety industry's social event of the year, which will take place on Monday 28th September at Staverton Park. This is a new venue for BSIF and the organisers are anticipating even more guests because of the earlier date and the more central location.
Geoff Hooke
Secretary General
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