14/15 October - Off on my travels again, this time to visit the South West branch in Plymouth. Thanks to Trevor Sillifant I have the opportunity to look around HMS Montrose, a type 23 frigate, and afterwards meet the captain in charge of H&S in the dockyard before attending the branch meeting itself.
I was impressed with the number that turned out to hear both Jon Cooper of Bond Pearce Solicitors and myself. It was almost standing room only, which I think is a good indicator of the vitality of the branch.
My thanks go to all on the branch committee for asking me and for the warm welcome I received from everyone. I would also like to thank the Royal Navy for allowing me look around HMS Montrose and to the OOD for being so patient with me with all those questions I asked.
20/21 October - Now it’s off to the Isle of Man International branch for their conference on proposed changes to the CDM Regulations (which the Isle of Man government is currently considering prior to their introduction a little later –probably early 2009). I get the opportunity to present a Presidential Distinguished Service Certificate to Steve Bentham for outstanding service and a presentation of some very nice crystal ware to Paul Hornsby the soon-to-be ex Chairman of the IOSH construction group. This was done at the unanimous request of the branch executive committee to mark his long and dedicated service.
22 October - Back at the grange for the Board of Trustees meeting then straight off to Birmingham International Airport to fly to Belfast to speak at the Bombardier Aerospace annual safety reps away day. This was fixed up earlier in the year when I spoke at the HSENI spring conference – thank you to Craig Gamble of Bombardier who invited me.
My flight was delayed and this left poor Chris Macartney from the Northern Ireland Branch standing around in the cold at Belfast International airport waiting to give me a lift to the venue. However, his company over dinner (which was a chip butty from what I am reliably informed is the best chippy in Belfast), the few drinks and the chat we had were very pleasant and informative. I discovered that Chris was about to go off (the following week) to Dublin for his peer review for CMIOSH. I trust that went well. Chris was also keen on getting involved more with IOSH as a volunteer and I understand that he has now put himself down for training to become a mentor to other aspiring safety professionals. This is the sort of enthusiasm among our younger members that we need to nurture. Good luck Chris!
27 October - Get a quote on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2 in reaction to the story about the man refused permission by the Forestry Commission for a permit to forage for firewood (after many years and many permits before) because of….. yes, ‘elf and safety.
29 October - Off to London for the annual dinner of the Society of Occupational Medicine at the invitation of their president, another example of the close co-operation between the two professional bodies.
3 November - This is my last official “outward facing” function as your president, consisting of a presentation to an audience of local business leaders in South Bedfordshire at the offices of the District Council. This had arranged through their environmental health department. Pauline McIlravey one of their EHO’s had requested me to do a 20 minute session as part of the European risk assessment theme. Pauline has been one of those EHO’s who has been part of the filming being undertaken by October films as mentioned above.
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