Implementing a Culture of Safety: The UKMHA National Safety Convention Comes to Coventry

A national safety convention which supports the implementation of a safer environment for workers in the material handling industry will be held in Coventry for the first time next month.

The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) National Safety Convention will be held at Coventry Building Society Arena on Wednesday 11 October, with safety barrier manufacturer ‘A Safe’ acting as headline sponsors.

It is expected to attract around more than 200 delegates as presentations for industry-leading speakers provide insight into how to implement a safety culture in the material handling industry.

The keynote speaker for this year’s convention is Dr Tim Marsh PhD, managing director of safety consultancy, Anker and Marsh.

He is considered a world authority on behavioural safety, safety leadership and organisational culture, as well as a visiting Professor at Plymouth University.

The UKMHA National Safety Convention will address how workplaces such as warehouses and factories can be dangerous environments, with potential hazards everywhere, including moving machinery such as forklift trucks and other material handling equipment.

Minimising these risks with heightened awareness about the potential hazards will go a long way towards making workplaces safer and more productive environments. One of the best means of achieving this is to encourage companies to adopt their own safety culture.

An exhibition will be run as part of the conference with around 25 exhibitors also highlighting the latest products and innovations in the material handling sector.

Cameron Burnett, Director at UKMHA, said: “The National Safety Convention is part of the UKMHA’s drive to deliver change within the material handling industry.

“Collectively, Safety Convention delegates are responsible for the safety of many thousands of workers across the UK. As such, it is crucial they possess the very best information on current safety protocols.

“The convention is aimed at users of material handling equipment who have a responsibility for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their workers. It is attended annually by hundreds of managers from across the UK who come together to share best practice.”

The UKMHA National Safety Convention will be held in the Commonwealth Convention Centre at Coventry Building Society Arena. It will utilise the auditorium, conference and exhibition space in the Convention Centre.

Jenni Ford, Director of Sales and Marketing at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “This is the first time we have hosted this event and we look forward to welcoming leading figures from across the material handling sector to the venue.

“Our Commonwealth Convention Centre is a state-of-the-art facility, which only opened last year, and is the perfect set-up for a confex such as the UKMHA National Safety Convention.” For more information and to register for the event visit www.ukmha.org.uk/safety-convention-visitors/