Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
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 RoSPA Logo |
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| Formation | 1918 |
|---|---|
| Type | Registered charity |
| Purpose/focus | Promotion of safety and the prevention of accidents |
| Headquarters | Edgbaston, United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom |
| Chief Executive | Tom Mullarkey, MBE |
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a British charity which aims to promote safety. It is particularly known for its vocal campaigns on issues of road safety (in particular Tufty the road crossing squirrel, and the Green Cross Code) and on issues of occupational health and safety.
Its origins are in the British Industrial Safety First Association, formed in 1918. In 1941, it adopted its current title with the agreement of the King.
RoSPA's work concerns safety on the road, at work, in the home, at leisure, on and in the water as well as safety education for the young.
RoSPA's income is derived largely from subscriptions, the sale of products and the provision of services - notably consultancy and training. The British Government also makes grants towards specific areas of RoSPA's activities.
RoSPA is governed by an executive committee. The organisation employed approximately 130 staff, located in the head office in Birmingham and at regional offices. The Society's patron is Her Majesty the Queen; Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen became RoSPA's President in 2005.
[edit] Criticism
RoSPA has been accused of being professional killjoys or busybodies, having an unduly risk-averse approach and taking a bureaucratic and inflexible approach to interpreting health and safety legislation. However, in response to this, the charity has started advocating allowing a degree of risk-taking in children's play.[1]
