A NEW training company providing health and safety instruction for Swindon firms claims it can offer a one stop shop for local employers keen to improve safety awareness at work.

Andy Ormston of AM Training Services, which is based at Eldene, said: "As a company led by state registered paramedics, we are now able to offer fire safety as part of our training programme, which means we can provide a one stop service for clients who want staff to become familiar with all issues relating to health and safety in the workplace.

"Employing actors to simulate casualties, our training is very much hands-on, and we strive to create realism in all the scenarios we recreate."

It provides a variety of courses from basic first aid to first aid at work, along with lone worker courses, the firm also offers discounts to fellow members of Swindon Chamber of Commerce.

The firm is currently training staff from the Forestdale Group of hotels, while the company's other clients include BP Castrol and Oxford Archaelogy.

Mr Ormston added: "We are able to produce tailor-made training packages for small and large companies.

"For instance, our training for a hotel group will be tailored differently to what we would offer a manufacturing company

"And in addition, we can either visit a client at their premises or arrange a venue."

The firm was set up in January, and Mr Ormston says he is keen to raise standards in the way health and safety is taught, especially among smaller companies.

He explained: "There are a lot of companies out there who teach first aid but many teach it by the book.

"But we don't teach it parrot fashion, we teach it in applied fashion, which means it is very realistic and doesn't seem like it's just come out of a textbook."

According to Mr Ormston, despite rising awareness among employers and employees about safety issues at work, the potential for accidents remains considerable.

He said: "The likelihood of accidents occurring at work is always there, particularly when corners are cut in matters of health and safety, which they frequently are."

For further information, contact the firm's website at: www.amtrainingservices.co.uk or call 0790 5005 884.