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General Motors Corp. is unleashing a new taxi fleet service to transport persons with mobility-restricting disabilities or spinal cord injuries. The introduction will coincide with the celebration of 100 years of taxi cabs in New York City. The first wheelchair-accessible cab approved for taxi use will make its public debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

“General Motors is dedicated to making automotive transportation easier and more accessible for the millions of persons with disabilities,” said John Gaydash, the director of marketing for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “With the debut of our new lowered-floor van for taxicabs, we are giving New Yorkers with disabilities a key element in maintaining independence – mobility.”

The Chevrolet Uplander TC was upgraded by El Dorado National, GM’s approved upfitter, to make pass the taxi cab standard. The cab features a stainless steel floor that is 12 inches lower than the conventional. It also offers a full 58 inches of interior height without a raised roof.

“By lowering the floor instead of raising the roof we increase accessibility and keep the center of gravity low, which improves the safety of the vehicle,” said Gaydash. “This creates nearly five feet of height in the rear passenger compartment, allowing both able and less able passengers to enter and exit with ease.”

The Uplander TC is made compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lowered-floor of the cab is engineered to be used by airport shuttle services, private livery companies, rehabilitation and extended care facilities to further mobility concerns. The vehicle meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards in the United States and in Canada.

The modified Chevrolet Uplander TC is equipped with GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, optional fold-down, middle-row seat, an improved rear-seat capacity for superb passenger load, an easy-to-use sturdy manual fold-out ramp, a swing-out gate for quick access for all passengers, safe, commercial-grade non-slip flooring made of high-quality vinyl, high-strength tie-down belt system made by Q’Straint, the industry benchmark for safety, ensures that a wheelchair or motorized chair is snugly secured.

The Chevrolet Uplander TC (Taxi Cab) standard equipment includes the 12-inch lowered floor, stainless steel with undercoating, ADA-compliant, a 56-inch ramp entry door height, a 54-inch by 30-inch fold-out, a swing-away ramp, rear axle automatic air suspension system, stainless steel entry threshold or safety yellow, auxiliary fuse block for taxi equipment, interior flat-mounted compact spare tire, commercial-grade Altro vinyl flooring, transmission or door interlock system that complements Chevy door handle, ADA safety lighting, manual driver seat or removable footrest, rear heat and A/C conversion, third-row seat modification with LATCH, backup alarm, and an emergency exit rear hatch release.

It can be recalled that the largest automaker has launched its Mobility Program in 1991 to aid transportation options to individuals with disabilities. Earlier, the Springboard Consulting and Work Life Matters magazine in New York honored GM for its dedication to the special needs community.

The automaker has been the automotive industry’s sales leader for 76 years. In the previous year, it sold about 9.1 million cars and trucks under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall brands.

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Electric wheelchairs are either rear or front wheel driven. Some of them are center driven or four wheel driven. These powerchairs come in many varieties like small portable models, foldable models, and models that can be dis-assembled. Large, full-featured electric wheelchairs that are called rehab chairs are also available. Powerchairs are designed for persons who have arm and leg disablement. Such people would find the operations of hand propelled wheelchairs quite difficult.

Electric wheelchairs are fitted with electric motors that are powered by 4 to 5 ampere rechargeable batteries. These motors are outboard boat engine types. The batteries come in dry or wet types. Dry type batteries are the most preferred ones due to ease of operation and maintenance. Electric wheelchairs are also fitted with battery chargers so that plugging into standard wall outlets is easy.

Operating either a joystick or a controller usually controls electric wheelchairs. Hand controllers, chin controllers, puff/sack controllers are specifically designed for persons with varying degrees of operational difficulty. The controller is the most expensive part of powerchairs and is quite delicate. Electric wheelchairs come with several optional functions like tilting, reclining seat and leg elevators, etc. to facilitate healthy and functional operations.

Electric wheelchairs for kids are generally those used by mentally disabled children or children affected by polio. These wheelchairs are custom made to suit the age of the child as well as the usage like indoors or outdoors or both. Polio affected kids and paraplegics were using hand supports till a few decades ago. Such hand supports normally resulted in severe body strain to the kids. The advent of electric wheelchair for kids has greatly relieved such kids of their suffering.

Travel had been on the rise and persons using wheelchairs are no exception. Traveling on vacation, travel for education, employment or participation in sports meets and general commuting for shopping, etc. have become indispensable for persons using electric wheelchairs. Portable and foldable models of wheelchairs require storage space, when not being used. As such, public transports like buses, trains and airplanes specifically provide electric wheelchair carriers. Buses with low boarding platforms that can literally lift wheelchairs into the buses have also been designed to serve such people. Such platforms are electrically or hydraulically operated.

Nowadays, in the United States, sales and service facilities for electric wheelchairs are quite widespread. You do not have to go too far to buy an electric wheelchair of your choice. As these powerchairs are made-to-order types, deliveries take some time but are normally very reliable. Electric wheelchair parts repair has also become quite easy, reliable and economical due to the healthy competition between the various electric wheelchair manufacturers.

Operation of an electric wheelchair by patients or disabled persons carries a certain amount of risk. Accidents could not be avoided at one time or another. Such accidents could be minor or major. Hence, insurance companies provide both accident/life insurance policies, as well as medicare policies to cover such risks. It is always advisable to take suitable insurance policies for physical and financial protection. Electric wheelchairs and medicare go hand-in-hand for persons confined to wheelchairs.

Electric power scooters, or mobility scooters as they are called, are normally fitted with two rear wheels, a seat with a flat area to place the feet and a handlebar in the front to operate one or two steerable front wheels. Swiveling seats are also available. Electric power scooters are invariably electric powered by rechargeable batteries that could be charged from standard electric outlets. Certain models of mobile scooters are gasoline-powered. Such electric power scooters have been most welcome for persons confined to wheelchairs. They find such scooters handy for commuting to schools and colleges as well as to workplaces and shopping. Electric power scooters are normally cheaper than powerchairs. Insurance companies and healthcare agencies like Medicare prefer to insure or extend medicare facilities for people using such scooters.

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Wheelchair stair lifts are mainly designed to provide safe and reliable accessibility solutions for physically disabled and aged people who find it difficult to climb stairs. Wheel chair stair lifts are conceptualized for easier disabled access. They are also helpful for people with back problems to move easily to standing position. They are highly cost-effective and are available in a variety of sizes and designs.

Different models of wheelchair stair lifts are available in the market, each having unique features. With the help of vertical lifts you can overcome physical barriers in both commercial and non commercial settings. Depending on your requirement you can choose your desired color as well.  Wheelchair stair lifts can be used in multi-storey buildings for emergency evacuation. You can install these stair chair lifts along the side of the stairway and there are models catering to both straight and curved staircases. They can also be customized to solve any particular challenge that you face in your home or office. This easy to use device is equipped with a number of safety features for immediate use. One of the main features is the highly sensitive sensor, which helps to prevent damages caused by obstacles in the lift’s path.

Basic features:

•    Emergency stop button and alarm

•    Optional remote controls

•    3 non-skid platform sizes: 36"x 48", 36"x56", 36"x60"

•    3 Drive systems: A/C powered belt driven ballscrew, Battery powered belt driven ballscrew, Battery powered hydraulic

•    Key lock to prevent unauthorized access

•    Wheelchair stair lifts have the capacity to carry 750lbs (340 kg)

Vertical platform lifts also offer many entry/exit configurations. The door will not open until it has reached the appropriate landing. They are flexible and can be easily installed inside or outside your home or office. These stair chair lifts are designed to carry your manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, or mobility scooter.

Most manufacturers provide free maintenance services. They are staffed with well experienced and trained designers and technicians, who provide installation and maintenance services at affordable cost. They offer professional and committed services for a wide range of clients including builders, architects, developers and home owners. Before purchasing a wheelchair stair lift, you should make sure that the lift fulfills ADA requirements and is one that suits your budget and requirements.

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A wheelchair is a wheeled mobility device in which the user sits. The wheelchair can be propelled by either manually or via various automated systems( e.g. electric, battery). Wheelchairs are used by people for whom walking has become difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, , or a disability. People with both sitting and walking disability often need to use a wheelbench. The earliest record of the wheelchair in use go back to England dating from the 1670s.

Lightweight Wheelchair also has another popular use and is a popular drug combination comprising cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

A basic simple standard manual wheelchair comprises of the following items:

Seat and back, Two small front (caster) wheels and two large wheels, one on each side, And a foot rest. Wheelchairs are often made with various combinations of the basic type, currently there are many types of wheelchairs, and they come highly customized wheelchairs for the individual user's needs. The footrests/leg rests,the seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, front caster outriggers, adjustable backrests, controls, and many other features can be customized on, or added to, many basic models, while some users, often those with specialized needs, may have wheelchairs custom-built. there is endless formations and combo's for a wheelchair.

Various optional accessories are available in the market, adjustable backrests, such as anti-tip bars or wheels, safety belts, tilt and/or recline features,support for limbs, mounts or carrying devices for crutches, walkers or oxygen tanks, drink holders, and clothing protectors.

Experiments have also been made with unusual variant wheels, like the omniwheel or the mecanum wheel. These allow more directional movement options, so technology is continuing to move forward.

Manual wheelchairs

Manual wheelchairs are the type that require people to move them, there is three types of manual wheelchairs namely self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and wheelbase. Many manual chairs can be folded ultra lightweight wheelchairs for storage or movement into a vehicle.

Manual or self-propelled wheelchairs are propelled by the occupant, be pushing the large wheels at the rear, the chair is moved by pushing on the hand rims which are made of hollow tube attached to the large wheel, typically of a smaller size than the wheel it self. A skilled operator can pull wheelies on the back wheels which is key to climbing down kerbs etc.

Attendant-propelled chairs are designed to be propelled by an care giver or friend who will push the wheelchair using the handles, and thus the back wheels are rimless and often smaller. These chairs are typically used as transfer chairs to move patients around like in hospitals or airports.

Wheelbase chairs are wheeled platforms with specially-molded seating systems interfaced with them for users with a more complicated posture. A molded seating system involves taking a cast of a person's best achievable seated position and the either carving the shape from memory foam or forming a plastic mesh around it. This seat is then covered, framed, and attached to a wheelbase this becomes more of a custom wheelchair then a standard type.

Light weight and high cost are related in the manual wheelchairs market. At the low-cost end, heavy, tubular steel chairs with sling seats and little adaptability dominate. In a higher price range, and more commonly used by persons with long-term disabilities, are lightweight wheelchairs with more options and the top end of the market contains ultralight wheelchairs which have extensive seating options and accessories, all-terrain features, and so.

Electric Powered Wheelchairs

Three general styles of electric powered chairs are center,rear and front wheel driven. Each style has particular handling characteristics. Electric wheelchairs can also be divided by seat type; some models resemble manual chairs, with a sling-style seat and frame, whereas others have ‘captain's chair' seating like that of an automobile.

Electric powered wheelchairs can for indoor and outdoor use and are generally given for people who cant move their own wheelchair. A person with full function of the arms and upper torso will generally be prescribed a manual chair, or find that their insurance will not cover.

Other wheelchair variants

A standing wheelchair is one that supports the user in a standing position. They can be used as both a wheelchair and a standing frame, allowing the user to sit or stand in the wheelchair. They will move from sitting to standing with a hydraulic pump or electric-powered assist.

A mobility scooter is a motorized assist device quite the same as a electric powered wheel chair but with a bar instead of a joystick. Mobility scooters are available from large, powerful models to lightweight folding ones intended for travel use.

A bariatric wheelchair is one designed to support larger weights as most standard wheelchairs are designed to support lesser weights.

Sport wheelchairs

Disabled athletes use streamlined sport wheelchairs for disabled sports that require speed and agility and cant use the typical wheelchair, such as basketball, rugby, tennis and racing. Each wheelchair sport tends to usecustom wheeelchairs that wont be the same between sports. They are usually non-folding to increase its solidity, with a pronounced angle for the wheels which helps its turning and made of special composite, lightweight materials. Sport wheelchairs are not generally for everyday use, and are often a 'second' chair specifically for sport use.

Beach wheelchairsThis type of wheelchair will allow the users to enter the water and provide a better mobility in the sand. Now there is many types of these beach wheelchairs in the market.

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Those whose disabilities confine them to wheelchairs may be further limited because they cannot access parts of their own homes nor many public areas. But their dilemma has a solution, in the form of portable wheelchair ramps.

Portable wheelchair ramps, usually constructed from collapsible steel or aluminum, offer wheelchair users easy access to stairs and vehicles, making them essential traveling accessories. Portable wheelchair ramps are ideal options for those who do not want the expense installing permanent ramps in their homes, and allow the homeowner the luxury of having one ramp work in multiple parts of the house.

Portable wheelchair ramps were along time coming, simply because of the logistics involved in deciding appropriate slope ratios and weight tolerances. But as more and more disabled people began demanding increasingly independent lifestyles, wheelchair accessory manufacturers responded by designing portable wheelchair ramps to accommodate the individual needs of their customers.

Types Of Portable Wheelchair Ramps

The best-selling portable wheelchair ramps are the suitcase variety; these collapse to the size of a suitcase when not in use, and are usually large enough to cover one or two stairs when extended. But, even when collapsed, they remain somewhat awkward to manage, both because of their bulk and because of their average 41-pound weight.

The rolling ramp is a portable wheelchair ramp with a rather peculiar appearance. But its light weight and ease of use more than compensate for its odd looks. Its user simply finds a flat surface on which to unroll it, inverts it, and has an instant, strong ramp. Rolling portable wheelchair ramps are, in fact, both stronger and more stable than suitcase ramps.

For wheelchair users who use a van for transport, the Van portable wheelchair ramp installs quickly and will handle weights of up to weight hundred pounds. Van wheelchair ramps are constructed of lightweight aluminum and have non-skid surfaces. For more info see http://www.wheelchairsreview.com/Wheelchair_Batteires/ on Wheelchair Batteires

Many people may decide to construct portable wheelchair ramps at home; but without being able to weigh them and test their strength they may end up whit results which are unusable, or have a disaster if they choose to use them. While homemade portable wheelchair ramps may seem like the least expensive options, the risk of danger outweighs their possible savings. Commercially produced and tested portable wheelchair ramps are simply safer.

As marvelous as wheelchairs are, they cannot by themselves bring independence to the disabled. Portable wheelchair ramps, and other wheelchair accessories, have been developed to bring new opportunities to wheelchair users, and if you'd like to find out just what wheelchair enhancements are available, you can start with an Internet search!

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A wheel chair lift is designed to allow those who must use a wheelchair easier accessibility to shops, restaurants, businesses, and any other public facility. There are many types of wheelchair lifts. The type a facility has will depend on the design of the building and the amount of money the facility has to spend on such equipment. Churches often have the older type of wheel chair lift that a person sits in. This requires them to move from their wheel chair to the seat of the lift.

Power wheelchair lifts are commonly found on vans and other vehicles. They allow wheel chair bound individuals the ability to get in and out of a vehicle with ease. This is very important for them to maintain as much of an ordinary life as possible. Many individuals who are in a wheelchair still work, do their own shopping, and enjoy social gatherings. A power wheel chair lift offers a way for them to be as self-sufficient as possible under the circumstances.

Wheel chair stair lifts are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They are also used by individuals who have difficulty going up and down stairs. The lift has a platform to roll the wheelchair onto or for an individual to stand on. It then lifts above the stairs where the individual is able to disembark from the lift. The same process is used to go back down the stairs. This is a great alternative to using the elevator and is also safe to use in the event of a fire.

Another useful type is the vertical wheel chair lift. This works almost the same way as an elevator, except the space is much smaller. The front has a door that opens when a button is pushed. The person in the wheelchair rolls into the space. There is generally enough room for another individual to enter the vertical wheel chair lift with the person in the wheelchair. Inside the lift are buttons similar to an elevator. Choose the button for your destination and you will be taken up or down depending on your choice. Once the lift has reached that location, the door will open much as the doors on an elevator do.

Handicap wheel chair lifts are designed to meet the special needs of those who use them. They may be similar to the wheel chair stair lift or the vertical wheel chair lift. They often have safety features in place and a bar inside to allow the person to pull themselves in or hold on during movement.

Wheel chair lifts come in many designs, all with the same goal of allowing those who use a wheel chair access to all the same facilities that the rest of society enjoys. They are made to be easy to use as well as accessible from ramps and other wheel chair accessible points of entry. If you require additional help, most facilities will have assistance available to help individuals with the proper use of wheel chair lifts.

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In the year 1881, the first modern wheelchair was unveiled in Europe. Since then, people with walking disabilities have found hope. Even if they would not be able to walk again, they would be able to take mobility through the use of the simple machine. Basically, wheelchairs are machines simple seating furniture that is attached to a pair of wheels to facilitate mobility.

In the 20th century, more initiatives were done to be able to further contribute to the development of wheelchairs. In 1918, the pioneering motorized wheelchairs were developed. Following that, in 1933 miner Herbert Everest and his engineer friend Harry Jennings Sr built wheelchairs for their own use. Mr Everest was paralyzed in a mining facility accident.

The modern wheelchairs are direct descendants of the wheelchair jointly developed by a team of inventors and innovators, including Jeff Minnebraker of California, Rainier Kuschall of Europe and Errol Markheim of Germany. The group was able to come up with a wheelchair that was lightweight and highly adjustable. The wheelchair was made up purely of aluminum, which is attributed for the light weight. Wheelchairs have since been convenient and light and were easily transported from a site to several other different locations.

The modern wheelchairs

Since the development of wheelchairs, many initiatives have been made to modify and update the basic features of the machines. In the past, wheelchairs were heavy and were very bulky to accommodate the user. Now, those features are scrapped and are reversed so as to provide users with convenience and easier access to wheelchairs’ usefulness.

The modern wheelchairs are also different and exhibit significant improvements from the early models and types of wheelchairs that have been rolled out earlier in the market. While in the past, wheelchairs were principally and basically pulled and pushed to become mobile, modern wheelchairs are employing the aid of different energy sources to facilitate movement and mobility.

On top of that, modern wheelchairs are also made to become more comfortable and cozy. The seats are made softer and cushions used are better and more convenient to facilitate more comfort. The wheels are made bigger, lighter and more efficient so as to facilitate better movement and mobility.

Modern types of wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are currently categorized into two big groups, namely, manual wheelchairs and power wheelchairs. The two differ on how they basically operate.

Manual wheelchairs are impressively the direct forefathers of modern types of wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are basically moved by manual or mechanical pushing and pulling. There are two basic and most common subgroups: self-propelled and attendant-propelled. Self-propelled wheelchairs tend to lend some form of independence. The wheelchairs enable the user to decide and empower himself or herself on the direction of the operations and the speed. The user manipulates the wheels directly.

Attendant-propelled wheelchairs tend to make users dependent on other people. That is because these wheelchairs move when they are propelled or pushed by an attendant or another person who is taking care of the wheelchair user. As such, the attendant has the more control of the direction and speed of the machine, with or without the instructions and directions of the user.

Power wheelchairs

Power wheelchairs are those that are operated less conventionally. These machines run using energy derived from energy sources like electricity and gasoline. It can also be easily inferred that power wheelchairs are more convenient and are more preferred by a rising number of wheelchair users all over the world.

The manner by which power chairs are operated also varies from traditionally and conventionally operated ones. Power wheelchairs can be run using steering wheels like in cars or in modern times, are sun by joysticks like those used in modern consumer electronic products.

Prices for different types of wheelchairs also differ. Of course, it is easily inferred that wheelchairs are a little premium priced especially in the modern markets. The materials used even in the simplest wheelchairs are costly. Thus, the cheapest brands are also sometimes not afforded by common and average-income households.

Power wheelchairs are having tag prices that are significantly and noticeably high. With the modern technology used in the development and manufacturing of such products, it is widely anticipated and expected that such sophisticated wheelchairs are expensive, making them impossible to be afforded by the masses. Aside from that, maintenance and operations are costly because of the energy requirements.

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Because lifts will often be unusable or fail, the DDA states that such building should have areas of safe refuge for those unable to manage stairs in the event of an evacuation. This surely is of course assuming the emergency is a fire and those in the safe refuge area will ‘assumable’ be protected and rescued relatively quickly by the fire department if the management of the building fails too.

The problem is, we tend to think of the cause of emergency evacuation as a fire and the chances are you do too. However, evacuation procedures for people with disabilities needs to move with the times, its a sad fact that we now live in a violent and unpredictable society and the cause for the evacuation may well be an explosion or bomb scare!

While there is no simple solution to the problem there are considerations in building design that could help, fire protected evacuation lifts, evacuation chairs on all levels and a greater consideration of providing more facilities on the ground and lower levels. Yes these too have there problems, like I said ‘there is no simple solution’ but a solution will not be found until the problem is recognised and addressed.

I cant help but feel that the fault often lies with designers. They love to create big fancy buildings that stand out from the crowd with unusual features, simply so the building gets noticed and the designer can then stand back and say ‘I designed that’ they appear more concerned and concentrated with getting noticed than the actual practicalities of minor things such as evacuation. Throwing in a few extra staircases does not help a wheelchair user on the tenth floor!

The reason for these articles are to enable people to read them and a voice to be heard. Maybe just maybe somebody with the power to make changes will recognise there is a problem and seek a solution. On the other hand you the reader may well be disabled or know somebody with a disability and now be concerned. My advice to you is when you approach a building don’t think how or can I get in it, think how do I get out!

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You should talk with your doctor or physical therapist before buying an electric wheelchair and make sure all your questions are answered. A new wheelchair cannot simply be returned if it doesn't meet your needs, so compare your options and shop around. Insurance companies and Medicare do not replace power wheelchairs for several years after purchase unless your physical condition has changed.

Does a Power Wheelchair Meet Your Mobility Needs?

A power wheelchair may not be right for your mobility needs; ask your doctor. If you have no trouble pushing yourself in a manual wheelchair, Medicare or your insurance may not want to pay for a power wheelchair. If you normally have to access areas which manual wheelchairs have trouble with then a power wheelchair may be useful. You can get a power wheelchair which is capable of clearing thresholds up to three inches high.

If you are capable of walking with a cane and can get around your own home, you may not be a candidate for a power wheelchair. A power scooter is more economical and can provide added mobility outside or in larger areas. Because of their bulkier frame, they have a turning radius which makes them hard to use in small spaces. Heavy duty scooters can support weights of up to 500 pounds.

If you cannot use a power scooter or a manual wheelchair, because your physical condition makes it difficult to push yourself or enter or exit a scooter, you will need a power wheelchair. You may also need a power wheelchair if your mobility problem is permanent, or caused by a medical condition which may further reduce movement in the future.

What Kind of Power Wheelchair Is Right for You?

Motorized wheelchairs come in two main types, the motorized version of a manual wheelchair or power wheelchair, and the power-base wheelchair, a base mechanism to which a chair is attached.

If you like the manual wheelchair but want an electric motor, a power wheelchair is based on the same design. A power-base wheelchair has a more advanced mechanism but lacks the portability of the light-weight power wheelchair.

The power-base wheelchair offers adaptability and strength. The seat is attached to a sturdy wheel base; you can disassemble the machine and install a new seat if your physical condition requires one in the future. Heavy duty wheelchairs are available, the largest offering a maximum weight capacity of up to 675 pounds. Power-base wheelchairs are heavier and lifting machines are available for getting them into your automobile.

Your doctor can help you make a decision as to which electric wheelchair is best for you. You can order a customized wheelchair, catering your preferences as well as your physical necessities.

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An annual health and safety awareness day is being staged in Stoke-on-Trent to give workers within the construction sector a wealth of practical advice – for free.

The Safety Health Awareness Day (SHAD), now in its fifth year, is aimed at smaller firms in the building and construction industry – from sole traders up to those with 15 employees – in the Staffordshire and South Cheshire area.

Taking place at The Britannia Stadium on Thursday, October 2, the event offers visitors a choice of morning or afternoon sessions to attend.

Featuring demonstrations and workshops by leading experts in the health and safety field, each session will be opened by Ian Whittingham MBE.

Ian, a former roofer, has been confined to a wheelchair following a fall at work in 1993 and has since campaigned tirelessly for improvements in health and safety in the workplace.

In previous years more than 300 people have attended the event and this year the organisers hope to attract an even bigger audience.

Trevor Fletcher, spokesman for the North Staffordshire Health and Safety Group, which helps to organise SHAD, said: “This event brings together a wealth of information on topics including working at height, manual handling, occupational health and asbestos in refurbishment - as well as an exhibition area to look round.

“Generally speaking smaller firms can often struggle to access such a range of training on health and safety, but this event brings it all together in a convenient format.

“It is a great opportunity to get all this advice, support and guidance for free. The event is popular, so we would urge people to get in touch as soon as they can to book their place.”

As well as the North Staffordshire Health and Safety Group, organisations offering support and practical advice to the programme include J & S Seddon, Kier, Redrow, Persimmon, Speedy, Taylor Wimpey, Laing O’Rourke and Countryside Properties, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, MH Safety Services and the Health and Safety Executive. They are all bringing their own experience of health and safety to share with delegates on the day.

Chris Comerford, of Fenton-based J & S Seddon, which has lent its support to the event since its launch in 2004, said: “SHAD provides a great opportunity to work together, share best practice and learn how to make the industry in this area safer.”

To book places on the day and for further information call 01782 237214 or email info@safetyday.co.uk. All attendees will receive a certificate and a Health and Safety Information Pack.

ENDS

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685 – on behalf of SHAD.

07985 129315

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