BUSINESSES in Somerset are being encouraged to take up St John Ambulance health and safety courses for staff members.

During 2010-11, there were 255 incidents in the county, compared to 234 the previous year, according to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive.

To help organisations in Somerset improve their safety record, St John Ambulance is offering deals on selected health and safety courses until the end of 2012.

Included in the offer are the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health working safely and managing safely courses, health and safety basics and the British Safety Council Level 2 certificate in risk assessment.

The four-day IOSH managing safely course is being held at St John Ambulance’s Bridgwater training centre in December but courses can be arranged at external premises for a group of six or more employees.

It is for people who are responsible for managing resources and risk in compliance with their organisation's policy and best practice in health and safety.

David Blackmore, a trainer for St John Ambulance in the South-West, said: “IOSH managing safely teaches supervisors and managers about the health and safety procedures that they really need to know.

“This is something people are often reluctant to learn as they think the need will not arise or they feel bewildered by the detail of the legislation. But it’s usually those very people that get caught off guard. “This course includes straightforward technical content, based on what delegates need to know in practice, as well as clear scenarios that managers can relate to and which often arise in the work place.”

For more details of other health and safety course in Somerset or for onsite training, contact St John Ambulance on 0844-324-5535.