Business, schools and colleges will be able to take part in on-site training schemes in Medway. The University of Kent at Medway is offering a variety of safety training courses in the Medway area as a result of a new Health and Safety Training Unit being set up at the university's centre at Canterbury.

The courses can be delivered on employers' premises, or at the university's centres in Chatham and Canterbury. Additionally, delegates from outside organisations can attend a course jointly with managers employed within the university.

The training unit provides extremely cost effective delivery while maintaining quality training sessions, some of which carry accredited and validated certificates from professional institutions. The tutoring team consists of experienced and highly qualified safety professionals, dedicated to creating and supporting a safe place of work, a safe environment and recognising the safety of staff, students and visitors as of paramount importance.

Information, instruction and training of people are vital factors in enabling everyone involved to contribute to and be part of any safety policy in a successful organisation. There are courses suitable for all levels of staff including short three-hour courses in areas such as Fire Safety Awareness and Fire Wardens, Display Screen Equipment for Users and Assessors, Manual Handling, General Office Safety, Basic Risk Assessment and Accident Investigation.

Accredited certificates can be gained from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health which include a one-day course for the 'Foundation Certificate in Health and Safety in the Workplace' and a three-day Supervising Health and Safety course. The nationally recognised certificate, 'Managing Safely' part of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health will also be run on a five-day course basis.

Jeff Brown, director of higher education operations at UKM, said: "These courses are just what organisations in Medway need. They are flexible, practical and professionally delivered. Individuals or groups can attend any of our Medway sites and benefit from the expertise on offer.

The growth of legislation in these areas demands that responsible employers act to provide a safe, user-friendly and

environmentally orientated workplace. The University of Kent is actively supporting such initiatives across the county." For further details contact Ray Allard at the Health and Safety Training Unit on 01227 823563