THIS year's European Health and Safety week saw a highly successful collaboration between Wirral's WREN Centre, Lever Brothers and Wirral's Environmental Health Department.

The initiative, organised by Groundwork Wirral's WREN Centre, provided training for staff from local and medium-sized firms to raise their understanding of basic health and safety and to gain a nationally recognised certificate.

It is estimated that accidents cost UK companies around £4.5bn per year in production losses. In the service sector alone, around 100 employees are fatally injured each year with 45 per cent of accidents being caused by easily preventable trips, slips and falls.

With these statistics firmly in mind, delegates from local small and medium-sixed firms attended the one day intensive basic health and safety training course at the Lever Brothers Learning Centre, Port Sunlight.

Delegates were also treated to a 'friendly' visit from Wirral environmental health officer Stephen Burrows, who outlined his department's responsibilities, what makes them decide to take action, and the importance of pro-active behaviour on the part of firms.

The WREN Centre is part of the Lairdside regeneration programme. It provides small and medium-sized firms in Wirral with confidential advice and support on environmental and health and safety issues. The WREN Centre free helpline number is 647-7424.

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