In an industry first the Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association (WMSA) has secured €46,000 of European funding which will enable it to run a series of free health and safety seminars throughout the UK from March to June.

The funding has come from a European-based Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) project and the seminars will cover three areas – The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98), Risk Assessment and Dealing with Wood Dust.

The programme will be delivered by Keith Dobson of Yew Lodge Health & Safety Training, supported by the WMSA’s technical director Tony Kaye.

&#8220We now have a welcome opportunity to deliver these renowned seminars to a wide audience.”

WMSA finance director John Smith-Bodden.

WMSA finance director John Smith-Bodden said: “We now have a welcome opportunity to deliver these renowned seminars to a wide audience. We hope that delegates will quickly appreciate the safety, statutory and commercial benefits packed into this programme.”

Edward Marshall of the Health & Safety Executive said: “I warmly welcome this initiative by WMSA to help improve health and safety standards in woodworking where people are twice as likely to suffer an injury at work compared with the national average.

“The real tragedy is that the vast majority of these injuries are preventable. Attend these seminars and find out how you can control risks to yourself, your employees and your business.”

&#8220I warmly welcome this initiative by WMSA to help improve health and safety standards in woodworking.”

Edward Marshall, Health & Safety Executive.

The seminars are due to take place in Nottingham in March, Cheshunt in April, Scotland in May and Bristol in June. Delegates will be asked to make a nominal contribution towards lunch.