Monthly Archives: November 2016

Raffle Prize request in aid of Club 2000 Sport and Leisure

I volunteer for Club 2000 Sport and Leisure. I am also on the committee.

Club 2000 is a sport and leisure club for people with disabilities, including learning difficulties, who live in Telford and Wrekin. Club 2000 is totally independent and not part of the local authority and receives no funding from them or any other statutory organisation.  Club is run entirely by volunteers and supported by membership subscriptions and any money that members and volunteers can raise by their own efforts together with any donations. We meet weekly, except during the summer holiday.

I started volunteering with Club 2000 in August 2010. It was a 16 week program. Over 5 years later and they can’t get rid of me. I enjoy club 2000 and its members. I also give my time to drive the minibus so members can attend and look after the website.

Our website is http://www.club2000sportandleisure.co.uk/ Our registered Charity No. is 1077511

Every year we offer our members trips. This year they wanted to go to Chester Zoo, Cadbury World, Blist Hill and Drayton Manor as they thoroughly enjoy themselves. There’s something to do for each and every one of them.

We are holding an entertainment event on 18th February 2017 in the hope of raising money for Club 2000. You could either purchase a ticket to attend or donate a raffle prize.

Should you wish to donate a raffle prize be it large or small, please let me know by email. We will ensure your company name is attributed to the Club 2000 newsletter and website. We understand you may receive many requests and fully understand if you are unable to give on this occasion.

Prizes are to be sent to: Emma Walker, Walker Health and Safety Services Limited e-Innovation Centre University of Wolverhampton Telford Campus Priorslee Telford TF2 9FT and should arrive no later than Friday 6th  January 2017.

Thank you from Club 2000.

Kind regards

Emma

On behalf of Club 2000 Sport and Leisure.

5 Tips to Ensure You Hire Competent Contractors

1. When considering potential contractors for work, always ask to see evidence of their competence – this would include their qualifications and training, affiliations to trade bodies and industry bodies, and examples of previous similar work. Ask about their knowledge of applicable legislation, best practice and industry standards.
2. Check their references out. Ask previous customers about the contractor’s standard of work, and if they managed health and safety well when on site.
3. Always make sure that you see proof of the risk assessment relating to the job. Check that company has identified the hazards applicable to both the activity and your particular site.
4. Make sure the contractor can provide evidence of having safe systems of work in place, and that the precautions and controls they identify as necessary are actually put into place before work starts and throughout the job.
5. Before work starts, verify what management presence from the company will occur in order to supervise the works. Plan regular meetings to discuss progress, and ensure you have the contact numbers for management personnel in case of a problem on site.

When it comes to health and safety, never take any chances – only allow competent contractors to undertake work on your premises.
Contact us if you require advice.

1. Conduct a risk assessment for safe driving, thinking about the controls that need to be in place to avoid driver distraction, such as a blanket ban on using mobile phones when driving.
2. Check that all workers who drive on company business have the correct driving licence for the vehicle they will be using, and are familiar with the layout of the vehicle’s controls.
3. Follow up on any accidents or near misses that occur, no matter how minor they are perceived to be, and any convictions such as speeding. Identify if driver distraction was a factor. Consider if refresher training is needed.
4. Develop a clear policy on when and how mobile devices can be used in vehicles. Ban workers from using phones, hand-held devices and hands-free kits when driving – tell them instead to pull over to a safe place to make or take a call. This also applies to eating and drinking. Where possible, avoid calling workers when you know they will be driving.
5. Give regular training to workers on the dangers of being distracted at the wheel, from induction through to regular refreshers. You could use the video produced by Thames Valley Police on the above case – you can find it on YouTube and other internet sites.
6. Provide supervision for workers to ensure they are following company rules when driving – undertake ride-alongs and use the time to educate about good and bad practice.

It is vital that your workers are aware of the risks posed by looking at mobile phones or other devices when driving as part of their work activities – give them the necessary training today.

Contact us should you require advice.

Your phone buzzes to life while you’re driving along – what do you do? Ignore it, or have a sneaky look?

We all know that it’s illegal (not to mention extremely dangerous) to use your mobile phone while driving. Yet our latest research reveals that many motorists just aren’t getting the message…

Next time you’re tempted to reach for your phone while driving, remember the following. Here in the UK, it’s been illegal to ride a motorcycle or drive using hand-held phones since December 2003.

There are just two very specific exceptions to the law: if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and its unsafe or impractical for you to stop, or if your car is safely parked.

You can, of course, legally use a hands-free phone. But if the police believe you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle because of your using it, you could still get stopped and be penalised.

So, if in doubt, it’s best to banish your mobile phone to your glove compartment entirely until your journey’s over.

The new legislation in brief

New legislation is due in the UK in the first half of 2017, which will raise the points received from using mobile phones whilst driving to 6 points, instead of the previous 3-point penalty. On the spot fines, will also be increased from £100 to £200.

This is part of an ongoing initiative to crack down on dangerous driving due to people using their phones. This initiative will be supported by a new high profile Think! campaign backed by the government, which hope to raise awareness around the dangers caused by this behaviour.

If you require any advice in this matter, please contact us.