This paper outlines a 2002 project involving European partners from UK, Finland and Germany to create language variants of an SME risk management 'toolkit' and IOSH's role in developing and introducing the UK version. Recognising the importance of managing safety and health risks alongside all other business risks, IOSH adapted this SME risk management toolkit originally developed in Finland. The toolkit covers most of the major business risk areas, including health, safety and environmental risks, and helps organisations tackle business risk management by providing user-friendly 'tools' such as work/info cards, checklists and workbooks. During the project, IOSH trained twenty-six trainers from across the UK and toolkit training was given to around 60 small firms. The toolkit training and effectiveness was assessed using a follow-up questionnaire to the small firms concerned. Whilst it is impossible to draw any firm conclusions from such a small sample group, the twenty-three returned questionnaires did indicate that the toolkit was well received by those firms who responded. The paper describes the UK modifications made as a result of input from the IOSH training providers workshop; dissemination of the toolkit to various stakeholder groups; and possible future developments, including an international construction-specific version.
展开▼