IOSH EDINBURGH BRANCH

Minutes of 191 Edinburgh Branch Meeting

Craighouse Campus, Napier University, Edinburgh – Thursday 9 April 2008 - 130pm

Sederunt:  78 members and 3 guests as per Sederunt sheets.           

Apologies: Richard Lovering, Mark Black, Rory Reed, Frank Higgins, Graeme Lyall, Michael McDermott, George Lamond, Anne James, Tom Mellon, Rennie Thomson, Robert Bradford.

1          Chair:  Andrew Sharman took the Chair.  He noted there were new members present and particularly welcomed them.

2.         Minutes of previous meeting:  March 2008

•Receipt – anyone not in receipt please email Secretary.

•Accuracy:   Proposer – Julian Davis; Seconder –  Clive Castell.

•Matters arising – none not on agenda.

3          Correspondence:

•Wed 23 April: Prevent Work-Related Dermatitis: Livingston Fc Stadium: Jim.RSpence@baesystems.com

•Friday 25 April 2008: Global Conference: Occupational and Environmental Cancer Prevention: University of Stirling

•Wednesday, 7 May: McClure Naismith IP/IT Team: free lunchtime seminar: “Purchasing IT: Key Considerations”: David Gourlay,  IP/IT Partner.

•Centre for Corporate Accountability: Conference On 'Corporate Homicide And Safety Enforcement'

Friday 16 May, 2008

4.         Group Reports

Branch Education Development Adviser:  Liz Young reported that the Initial Professional Development workshops held in Edinburgh recently had been well attended and well received.

Forth and Tay District:  April meeting: Stress-what can we do:  Ian Scragg HSE Adviser, University of Dundee, a key issue for the University, Ian provided an overview of how they are tackling the issue working closely with HSE. A very participative session, attended by 15 members (school holidays influencing attendance?)  Site visit to Nynas in Dundee on 5th June

5.         Members Items

•AGM – any written nominations received by today would take precedence over any received subsequently.

•Site Visit: Cockenzie Power Station: Thurs 19 June.

•Also Fire Service College – a Thurs in October.

•Andrew noted that the above two events resulted from the feedback sheets on this topic that had been given out at previous meetings and thanked members for had responded to this

•Thinking about new venue – where do you travel from.

•He welcomed Helen Pearson who was understudying Max in the Secretar’s role with a view to becoming Secretary at the AGM.

•From the floor – there were no items and Andrew reminded members this was a great opportunity to ask questionsand share experiences – good or bad.

6.      Guest Speaker:  Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide: Elena Fry: Partner - Biggart Baillie

Members who wish a copy of Ms Fry’s presentation should email the past Secretary.

7          Honoured Guest:  Ray Hurst - IOSH President.

Andrew welcomed Ray and asked him to update the members on IOSH activity in general and his period of office so far.  Ray outlined the external work that he had been doing including his year as President-elect to ensure that the image of the profession was an accurate one i.e. our aim was to prevent deaths and injury in the workplace and not prevent pancake races etc.  As well as the famous World Conkers Championship he detailed a variety of TV and radio interviews which were all geared towards this end.  This activity by IOSH was important – trivializing health and safety would eventually undermine the work of our members.   

Andrew thanked Ray for having come to Edinburgh and then it was revealed that Ray had come to Edinburgh primarily to present the President’s Distinguished Service Award to the retiring Branch Secretary, Max Bancroft (unbeknown to him) for his work for the Branch over the last 8 years.  Ray felt that the work of the local activists should be recognized more than it was by the presentation of the Award and he was delighted to do this in this case.

8.         Closing details

Dates of next meeting:

Edinburgh Branch: 8 May: AGM: Fiona Gelling: IOSH HQ – CPD.  Buffet lunch from 1230.  This would be followed by a presentation on healthy eating.