Conference launched to tackle dangers of work at height

The Access Industry Forum (AIF), the forum for nine of the leading trade associations and federations involved in work at height, has announced details of its first national, one-day conference. Supported by the Association for Project Safety (APS), Hire Association Europe (HAE) and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Implementing change and innovation in work at height will take place at the Holywell Park Conference Centre in Loughborough on 13 October 2016.

Dedicated exclusively to height safety, the Forum has assembled an impressive line up of expert speakers from industry, academia and the professions. From drones to designing for access, they will address the issues and topics, trends and developments set to shape the work at height agenda over the coming months and years.

Speakers include Philip White, head of operational policy and strategy at the Health and Safety Executive; Steffan Groch, chair of the Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association; Paul Bussey, chairman of the  Designers’ Initiative on Health and Safety; Prof Tim Marsh, chairman of RyderMarshSharman; and Dylan Roberts, director of health, safety and wellbeing at Skanska UK.

In total, 10 presenters will cover a wide range of thought provoking topics from duty holders failing to do their duty and the benefits of a behavioural approach to work at height, to the role of technology and eLearning and the impact of the CDM Regulations 2015.

Dr Shaun Lundy of the University of Greenwich – a member of the HSE’s Myth Busters Challenge Panel – will talk about the myths and misconceptions surrounding work at height, and John Dunne, group health, safety, environment and quality director at the Wates Group will discuss his company’s ‘reshaping tomorrow’ initiative.

Comments chair of the AIF Marketing Committee, Chris Kendall: “As the first conference to focus entirely on the future of work at height, this promises to be a landmark event in the evolution of height safety. It will examine the key issues facing professionals today in this critical area of health and safety.”

“The Forum and its member organisations have a strong history of contributing to the development of safety and best practice and this conference will be no exception.”

For more information about the conference programme, speakers and the ‘early bird’ ticket option available until 31 July 2016, please visit  www.accessindustryforum.org.uk/events/

Ticket prices:
If booked on or before 31 July 2016, £134-96 + VAT (£161-95 inc. VAT)
If booked after 31 July, £149-95 + VAT    (179-94 inc. VAT)

Official conference supporters:
• Association for Project Safety (APS)
• Hire Association Europe (HAE)
• International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM)

AIF member organisations:
• Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS)
• British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF)
• Edge Protection Federation (EPF)
• Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training (FASET)
• International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)
• Ladder Association (LA)
• Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ & Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA)
• Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association (SAEMA)
• Work at Height Safety Association (WAHSA)