After a relatively quiet August, it is back into the swing of things once again.
2 September - Branch Action Day at The Grange. This gathered together branch elected officials to discuss a range of issues following on from the recommendations made by the branch review working party. Most (but not all) branches were represented and those who attended will be reporting back to their branch committees and members on the event.
4 September - I was back in the Grange to welcome Andy Green and Stupid Aid Week to IOSH. Yes, you read that right. Andy is a PR professional and author of various books on communications. He’s doing the rounds to promote a new book – Overcoming stupidity in the world around you – which encourages creative thinking to help anyone fight back, combat or at least not feel helpless when confronted with stupidity whether it is dealing with bureaucrats, your boss or when the buck stops with you.
This accomplished author’s cause, among other things, is tackling the misuse of health and safety, so often used as an excuse to ban trivial activities. Andy makes the point that “so many good causes, such as sensible health and safety or risk management are being undermined by stupidity. Stupid Aid has a serious message – we want people to get in control of their world and fight back against stupidity, or not feel so helpless whenever they come across it. We hope it will not be a losing battle.” Amen to that.
The day was entertaining, enjoyable and more importantly very informative. By the way, stupidity is not due to low intelligence but inflexibility in thinking. There are numerous examples of very clever people who do stupid things.
5 September - in London at CMPi offices for the judging of the IOSH/SHP awards, which will be presented on 8th October.
7/8/9 September – I attend the National Safety Symposium in Warrington. This is the annual event from the IOSH Public Services Group (PSG), which has been running for 35 years. For me it was a little like coming home, as I’ve attended many times over those years as a member of MAPS then PSSG now PSG. I was honoured to be invited back as in 1993/4; I had the privilege to chair the group. Special thanks go to all on the event working party and the team at the Grange who arranged the event and made it the success it clearly was.
At dinner, I made a presentation to Brian Dowsett, who has recently retired from Zurich Municipal, on behalf of the NSS organising committee. Brian has been an IOSH member, leading light and active supporter of the IOSH/ZM awards over many years, in fact my first recollection of Brian was visiting him in the then new MMI offices in Farnborough back in the late 80’s when I was the IOSH/ZM awards co-ordinator to plead for more money to put into the awards – which he managed to arrange. I was also pleased to recognise his efforts with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award, only one of seven that have been awarded during my year in office.
I was asked to hand over the Chain of Office from the outgoing chair, Marion Johnstone to the incoming chair Bruce Philips. My congratulations go to Marion for steering the group so well over the last 3 years and my best wishes to Bruce for picking up the baton, I know he will both uphold and enhance the traditions of PSG over the next three years.
And in a surprising turn of events, I was also on the receiving end of an award. Marion presented me with an award that recognised my services to the public sector over the years, which I had no idea about.
There are too many excellent speakers of note over the two days of the symposium to mention them all: Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair if the HSE kicked off the conference with a rousing keynote; Eldeen Pozniac, President of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, delivered another cracking speech; Paul Pascoe from Australia gave some great advice on how to spice up OH&S talks and get your audience engaged. I look forward in eager anticipation to next year’s event.
Comments