RED Angels are swooping into Kent with a mission to help firms cut deaths and injuries at work.

With 250 fatalities and 160,000 injuries at work across the United Kingdom every year, Business Link Kent is using European cash to launch the Red Angels Project to give managers much-needed health and safety training.

Firms that fall foul of health and safety rules face crippling fines, often many thousands of pounds, or in extreme circumstances closure.

Workplace dangers include exposure to dangerous substances, stress, tripping and slipping, noise, vibration, fire hazards, radiation (including sunburn and lasers), computer monitor/VDU usage and falls, as well as machinery and worksite transport.

Under the proposal, following training, a Red Angel will help implement a three-month development plan for the company to encourage a culture of risk prevention and reinforce workplace standards and rules.

Sittingbourne-based KITA (Kent Industrial Training Association) will deliver training in the classroom and on site, with online support. Participants will earn a certificate from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, based in Bilbao, Spain, is helping to fund the project.

The project is being supported by the British Standards Institute, which will train the Red Angels in the appropriate ISO standards.

It will also work with participating companies and encourage them to develop their Health & Safety plans to meet recognised ISO audit requirements.

Adrian Champney, BLK European Programmes manager, said: "It's dangerous for people think accidents will never happen in their workplace or to scrimp on health and safety because they believe it's an unnecessary expense.

“The truth is these measures don't need to be expensive, time-consuming or complicated -- and can end up saving money, as well as lives."

More information from the Red Angels Project Office on 01795 427274.