Annual Health & Safety Conference
For over 10 years we have been delivering our annual health & safety conference, this has gained quite a following from those attending. These events receive much praise for their ability to deliver short sharp presentations while addressing pertinent topics such as electrical safety, manual handling, mental health & wellbeing, asbestos, noise and membership case studies.
Specialist Seminars
Every year the BFFF Health & Safety Team deliver a specialist event to address an industry related topic such as Ammonia, Working at height on Refrigeration. The most recent event delivered was fire safety and composite insulated panels (CIP’s). With all specialist events we use industry experts to explain how companies can manage these disciplines. The success of these events has been made more effective through practical sessions, this reiterated through excellent feedback on how the newly gained knowledge has been put into practice within the industry.
BFFF Launch Assured Guidance on RIDDOR Determination Guidance for its membership
To add to its plethora of assured guidance, BFFF has now secured primary authority assurance for its determination of RIDDOR reporting guidance. There was much confusion around what type of injuries should and should not be reported, this guidance gives a structured approach to the reporting process. Many of our members have now adopted this decision-making process.
Assured Guidance
All of our assured guidance this has been written at the request of our members. In every case it aims to address areas not covered by regulations or approved codes of practice therefore making it unique. Our assured advice now includes:
- Guidance on Raynaud’s Phenomenon
- Work at Height Equipment Guidance for Cold Stores
- Work at Height on Refrigerated Vehicles
- Selecting Staff for First Aid Training
- Provision of Defibrillators in the Workplace
- Overtime Risk Assessments
- Rest Breaks for Cold Store Workers
- How to Assess Head Protection for Cold Store Workers
- Health Surveillance for Cold Store Workers
- Working in a Cold Store – Advice for Employees
- Fire Safety Induction Training
- Manual Handling Equipment Observation
- RIDDOR Determination
BFFF invited onto judging panel for national food and drink industry health and safety awards
BFFF was invited to sit on the judging panel of the food and drink manufacturing awards along with the HM Inspector for food and drink, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and USDAW. The winners were announced at the Annual Food and Drink conference and BFFF acknowledged in taking part.
Training Days
BFFF offers its members the opportunity to attend specialist training days. Examples of this are the IOSH Managing Safely Course. The first course was delivered to Brakes earlier in the year and the feedback was phenomenal. Another Success was our corporate social responsibility (CSR) training day which highlighted that CSR is no longer a ‘nice to have’ for any company wanting to maintain and exceed customer requirements, attract the best people, or simply meet environmental and social impact legislation.
Keep it Safe
Keep it Safe is our quarterly newsletter for health & safety matters and keeps our members informed of legislation updates, prosecutions and the latest guidance. Our membership contributes by supplying real life case studies. In addition, we provide a safety focus on hot topics and sections dedicated for fire safety and transport.
Collation of membership accident data & benchmarking groups
Each year we ask our membership to provide their accident statistics. This information is unique for BFFF members and provides over 10 years of comparable statistics and giving an insight into 3 sectors within our industry, these being Producers, Wholesalers and Logistic Service Providers. The data is supplied currently is from circa 40 member companies representing around 35,000 employees. Our statistics provide an excellent management tool to enable all members to compare their performance within the sectors. Some of our members take part in further benchmarking by comparing their data with the consent other companies within the membership. We encourage other members to get involved.
Health and Safety Pledge
Members can commit to the BFFF pledge values, these are aligned to the HSE common strategy and demonstrate a company’s commitment to a safe and healthy working environment.
Health and Safety Expert Group
Our group of health and safety experts is made up from professionals from all sectors within the membership, we meet tri-annually to discuss industry related issues. The group contribute to industry guidance and get actively involved in answering membership queries on a day to day basis.
Engagement and Lobbying with Regulators
BFFF has a dedicated contact within HSE and legal partnerships with local authority regulators which are used as a conduit to address industry level issues. BFFF also sits on the Food and Drink Manufacturer Forum (FDMF) and feeds information back into the membership.
