The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is an independent, UK-based charity that works globally to reduce the risk of accidents in homes and workplaces.
Accidents usually happen when people are exposed to hazards, and when proper risk mitigation is not implemented.
RoSPA focuses on preventing those accidents through education and awareness programs for the general public, construction professionals, manufacturers and suppliers, and businesses.
RoSPA does not offer accident prevention services directly; instead it partners with other organizations that can help provide these services with greater reach and effectiveness.
Let’s now look further into the details of who RoSPA are, what they do, and how they try to actively reduce the estimated 14,000 people who die every year in the UK through entirely avoidable accidents at home or in the workplace.
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Table of Contents
What is the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents?
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is an independent, UK-based charity that works globally to reduce the risk of accidents in homes and workplaces.
Founded in 1982, it is the world’s first accident prevention charity.
RoSPA has a vision to create a world where no one is injured, where all can enjoy the freedom to go outside and the confidence to be safe in the home and workplace. Accident prevention is based on the understanding that no risk equals no harm.
To achieve this, RoSPA work with all sectors to reduce the risk of accidents, especially those that result in injury or death.
Why Is RoSPA Needed?
There are many reasons why we need an organization like RoSPA, especially when the following is considered:
Most accidents are preventable.
Which means that if people knew how to prevent them, we would save a lot of accidents, injuries and unneccesary deaths.
RoSPA is critical to helping address one of society’s biggest challenges: the growing number of accidents and injuries that require medical intervention.
In fact, approximately 1.5 million people in the UK are admitted to hospital each year with injuries caused by an accident, and the cost to the NHS is estimated at £500 million annually.
It seems a huge amount. But when you add up the small ways people injure themselves at home every year, like 21,000 people needing hospital treatment for falling out of bed, 7,500 people needing treatment for injuries sustained using hand saws or drills, then it’s easy to see why the amount is so high.
Yet, it remains a staggering figure, and has been rising at an alarming rate.
In fact, since the 1990s, the number of injuries has increased by an average of 5% per year.
How Does the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents Work?
RoSPA works across three key areas: education, research and advising.
This includes a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of accidents, as well as offering tips on how to reduce the risks of getting hurt. In education, RoSPA works with teachers to create lesson plans and curricula to help them educate children about the risks of accidents and how to prevent them.
It also conducts research to deepen its understanding of accidents and their causes, and shares this information with partners and the public.
As an advisor, RoSPA offers advice to governments, industries, and organizations on creating safer workplaces and homes and can help with accident prevention programs. It can also help people navigate the benefits system if they’ve been injured in an accident.
Who is a RoSPA Accredited Provider?
Those who wish to become RoSPA Accredited Providers must first identify and address any risks that might affect the safety of their operations.
No matter how careful you are, there are always risks associated with your job. And it doesn’t matter how many safety precautions you take, you’re always at risk of injury.
Your company must then undergo a detailed assessment. This involves auditing your operations and identifying areas that need improvement.
The audit will help you improve your safety performance by identifying areas where you may be operating below industry standards.
Who is a RoSPA Member?
RoSPA is a membership-based organization.
Membership gives you access to a range of benefits, including a subscription to the RoSPA Journal, discounts on courses and events, and the opportunity to partner with the organization and help improve its services.
Many businesses choose to become members of RoSPA because it offers a variety of benefits, including the opportunity to work with the organization on improving its services. You can also choose to sponsor a child’s education or receive a RoSPA discount on your insurance.
RoSPA Training
RoSPA also offers various courses directly or through their accredited training partnership program, offering qualifications and training surrounding safety at home and at work.
They offer full workplace training courses such as:
- NEBOSH and IOSH certification with full accreditation
- Manual handling courses
- Risk assessment courses
- Driver training
They also offer other courses on home safety, fire safety and child safety, many of which can be done online and in the comfort of your own home.
Summary
Accidents happen when people are exposed to hazards.
RoSPA focuses on preventing those accidents through education and awareness programs for the general public, construction professionals, manufacturers and suppliers, and businesses.
RoSPA does not offer accident prevention services directly; instead it partners with other organizations that can help provide these services with greater reach and effectiveness.
The membership benefits of becoming a member of RoSPA include access to a range of benefits, discounts on courses and events, and the opportunity to partner with the organization and help improve its services.
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