Eight automotive companies in the north east have joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to drive up safety standards in the industry.

The North East Automotive Safety Forum was launched today, in an effort for all eight companies involved to share best practice.

Chris Gillies, HSE principal inspector explained the principal aim of the Forum is to reduce the incidence of accidents and ill health at work and to ensure workers are not put at risk.

He said: "Two key objectives of the Forum will be to ensure greater worker involvement in health and safety and to ensure that key personnel have appropriate and relevant training. The members of the Forum will also act as a good neighbour and spread the message to their suppliers and other businesses."

"Essentially the forum will be helping ensure that organisations and the individuals who work there are fit for work, fit for life and fit for tomorrow. By working together to achieve these objectives, the employers should see their efforts rewarded in a healthier, happier workforce with less time lost to production due to sickness."

The forum will meet regularly and its activities will be monitored to ensure it is meeting its objectives.

The eight members of the North East Automotive Safety Forum are:

Calsonic Kansai
Nissan
TRW
Thyssen Krupp Automotive Tallent
Unipres
Johnson Controls
Hashimoto
Magna Kansei
HSE