SMALL and medium-sized businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire were given the chance to improve their health and safety strategies at a free awareness day held at Worcester Rugby Club.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) joined forces with three local authorities - Wychavon, Malvern Hills and Wyre Forest district councils - to host the event, which was aimed at reducing work-related accidents and ill health.

The programme covered areas of health and safety most in need of improvement, including working safely at height, manual handling, slips and trips, workplace transport and asbestos management.