Businesses in York are getting behind City of York Council's Good Neighbour Award, which aims to encourage larger city firms to mentor smaller businesses, boosting health and safety in the workplace.

As part of the scheme, which was launched in October 2002, many companies are offering free training courses and advice on a range of health and safety issues.

Fulcrum Health and Safety Consultants, Clifton Moor are offering free advice, visits and help in training, risk assessments, method statements, noise surveys, COSHH assesments and general safety visits. Anyone who is interested should telephone Michael Sharp or Neil Lyon on 01904 781198 before the end of February.

First Stop Safety, Upper Poppleton, will give free electrical safety posters to the first 50 callers, and back suports to the first 5 people to ring in. Please telephone the council's food safety unit on 01904 551525 or e mail food.safety@york.gov.uk.

Norwich Union is offering free copies of it's health and safety employee handbook to small businesses in the city. Contact the food safety unit, as before.

British Sugar will provide free advice from their in-house Occupational Nurse on any work-related ill health issues until the end of March. To make an appointment, please contact the nurse on 01904 790531, quoting the Good Neighbour Award.

Finally, the Marriott Hotel, Tadcaster Road, are providing a free two hour training session on pool safety and management on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 10am. Anyone wanting to book a place should contact Jackie Armitage in the council's food and safety unit on 01904 551525.

The Good Neighbour Award will run until the end of March 2003, so there's still plenty of time for more businesses to get involved. Contact Jackie Armitage on 01904 5515425 for more information.