WIREDGOV

An annual road safety seminar addressing the risks faced by organisations’ fleets and drivers is to be broadcast live on the internet for the first time.

The annual St Andrews Seminar, hosted by the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA) and supported by Health Workplaces, shines a light on the health of those who drive for work and the management of occupational road risk.

This year the event, being held on Thursday (December 1), will be broadcast in full on the internet for those who are unable to attend in person.

A half-day series of talks will be held from 9.30am-12.30pm, covering issues such as the impact of ill health on driving and engaging with ageing workforces, before an afternoon Q+A session from 2.30-4pm will broaden the discussion and summarise the issues covered in the morning.

Speakers include Dr Karen McDonnell, head of RoSPA Scotland and chairman of ScORSA, Ian Tasker of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, and Robert Atkinson, OHS development manager at the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives. The afternoon panel features Mr Atkinson, Dr McDonnell, George Cairns and Inspector Darren Faulds from Glasgow City Council, and Sandy Allan from ScORSA.

Mr Allan said: “The free event will be an opportunity to share advice and information from experts in the field while encouraging open discussion among likeminded practitioners.

“The day is for anyone that has an interest in managing occupational road risk or health issues around driving, but if you cannot make it along please listen in via our live internet link. Anyone watching will also be able to ask questions of our panel in the afternoon through the live chat function.”

The event is taking place on the same day that RoSPA begins its centenary celebrations – the safety charity dates back to December 1, 1916, in response to a rise in the number of road deaths in London due to blackout conditions. This was tackled with the now-ingrained advice that pedestrians should walk facing oncoming traffic.

The seminar can be viewed via http://glocast.com/live/scorsa.html

There are still a few places left for the event at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh, anyone interested in attending should email info@scorsa.org.uk.