IOSH president's diary

And on to May…

1 May: Attended the Middle East branch seminar and gave a keynote address. The branch committee had arranged an interesting array of speakers on a wide variety of occupational safety and health issues in the Middle East. In light of my last visit to Dubai back in January, it was great to find a) George W wasn’t expected and b) it didn’t rain. Travelled back to Dubai for an overnight stay and a night out with branch members before a flight back to the UK. I understand there are photos celebrating this event…and my dancing skills (or lack of them) feature prominently in them. How much not to publish?

8 May: Attended the IOSH Honorary Vice Presidents luncheon at the House of Lords, generously hosted by Lord Brougham and Vaux. I gave a keynote address raising the issues that prominently feature in our Get the best campaign. Judith Hackitt talked about how the profession is featured in the media – something we’re all fighting against, and which is now IOSH’s Stop taking the myth! campaign. I particularly liked the part “… a generation of children who will not just be risk averse but risk paranoid…” I was very pleased to confer IOSH Honorary Vice President status on Lord Brougham and Vaux and Judith Hackitt.

9 May: A strange but satisfying presidential visit to the AGM of my own branch (East Anglia) the only branch I have been able to cast a vote at during my visits. Nice to see the branch is alive and well and prospering in deepest Norfolk. I found it quite strange to take over the branch while the election of the new Chairman took place (my first time back in that position since I chaired the branch in my own right all those years ago). It is clearly in good hands.

13 May: Manchester this time to visit and present to the Public Services Group meeting in the afternoon and then on to the main branch AGM in the evening. A very interesting presentation at the main branch meeting from Yvonne Liverton about her early experiences in occupational safety and health. Rather than reiterate what was said, you can read the press release about it here.

14 May: Off to Bristol, somewhat hindered by Rangers supporters in Manchester for their match against Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA cup later that day. The town and station was full of good natured fans but it made the journey into town rather slow and I got a bit worried about making the train. Unfortunately, of course, Rangers lost and the following day it would have been almost imposible to have made the station let alone the train.

In the evening I attended the annual dinner of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). I was pleased to be able to congratulate their new president and assure him that IOSH was looking forward to the continuing collaborative work with them that we have already carried out. A great evening spent talking to like minded people.

15 May: Attended the Bristol and West branch AGM (at 08:00hrs) and once again assumed the power of the Branch Chairman (for a very brief period) while we elected the committee and chairman for the ensuing year. Nearly didn’t make it as the taxi driver had no idea where the venue was!. Another warm welcome and lots of good questions from members.

Commons dinner

Time to update the diary again before I get another slap on the wrist.

25 February: I attended a dinner hosted by IOSH at the House of Commons, we were joined by some 24 MP’s and 4 Peers.  Of course there is no such thing as a free lunch and this event was to discuss a range of issues relating to occupational safety and health and to present our views and update them on our campaigns.

I was particularly pleased to see that we had a mix of parliamentarians across the political spectrum who took the time to attend and contribute freely to the free and frank exchange of views during our “round table discussion.” Among them were many who have given valuable support to IOSH over the years: including Lord McKenzie of Luton, Michael Clapham MP, Terry Rooney MP, the chairman of the DWP select committee and Joan Humble MP a member of the DWP select committee. We were also pleased to have Judith Hackitt, Chair of the HSC and Dame Professor Carol Black to add to the debate.

The evening started with presentations from Lord McKenzie, Michael Clapham MP, Dame Professor Carol Black and myself to set the scene for the discussion during dinner.

I truly believe that events like this help us get across our message and also to get a better understanding of the issues between the profession and the lawmakers.

27 February: Back in Central London at Portcullis House along with Richard Jones and Ian Waldram to give evidence before the DWP select committee. This was to clarify the previously submitted IOSH written evidence and gave MP’S the opportunity to clarify and expand on issues from that submission.

28 February: Off to Dublin from Stansted (only 15 minutes from home – oh the joy of not having to go to Heathrow or Gatwick!) for the day at the invitation of the Construction Industry Federation to present Safe-T-cert awards (at grade A) to two companies Ascon & Rohcon and Patrick Lynch Ltd. These were the first coveted grade A awards to be awarded in Eire. For those who may not be aware, Safe-T-Cert is the sector specific safety management system for construction companies. In order to achieve the award they have to demonstrate that they have integrated safety management into their business operations. Each year they have to prove they are continually improving in order to retain their Safe-T-Cert   In addition to the recipients of the awards I was also pleased to meet Tom Parlon the newly appointed Director General. My sincere thanks go to Aiden Burke of the CIF for acting as taxi driver and keeping me on track for the event. A little known fact I learned during my visit - the M50 to/from Dublin is so designated because the traffic is twice as bad as that on the M25!

What a year!

It's been a busy year for IOSH, from Rt Hon John Hutton announcing a major review of workplace health at our annual conference, to launching a free interactive course for school students, and proving that we're not a bunch of kiljoys at the World Conker Championships.

We've made great progress with the media and national MPs, and I'm looking forward to continuing this next year.

It just leaves me to wish you all a happy and healthy christmas and new year. If you haven't already seen the IOSH christmas message, have a look at it here.