Our Health and Safety Expert Group met on the 20^th October with 19 members joining us to discuss matters affecting our industry.

We welcomed new members to the group representing Unilever, Asda, Greggs, KFF and Dalziel and heard industry updates from Fareshare, Brakes and Dalziel. We demonstrated our new Accident Stats Platform and updated the group on the change of date for our Workplace Transport and Road Risk event; which will now take place in January (https://bfff.co.uk/event/workplace-transport-and-road-risk-seminar/)

The group engaged in a good discussion about the importance of mental health awareness within the workplace and we updated the group on the provisional dates for the half day Mental Health Awareness Courses that will be held early next year by Collins McHugh (email carlabrown@bfff.co.uk for further details)

Simon updated the group on the progress of the Cold Store Footwear guidance and urged all members of BFFF to submit their footwear data, to enable us to work with our Primary Authority to alter the guidance. Members can submit their data on a short form by following this link https://forms.office.com/r/jP9DgJ2xKx

We were joined by Helen Atkinson, our Primary Authority Officer from Wakefield Council who gave a very sobering update on how the Governments relaxation of Covid-19 Guidance is causing problems within the workplace where we still have a legal and moral duty to protect our colleagues. The HSE and Local Authorities will investigate if companies as well as private groups have outbreaks and are found to have reduced or even removed covid safety measures.

We were also joined by Anthony Minshull from Arco who gave us a talk on sustainable gloves and Chris Ogg of Solo Protect who demonstrated technology to protect lone workers.

Thank you to all members who contributed to the lively and very informative meeting and we look forward to holding a face to face meeting in early 2022.