IOSH EDINBURGH BRANCH
Minutes of 197 Edinburgh Branch Meeting
Merchiston Campus, Napier University, Edinburgh – Thursday 11 December 2008 – 1:30pm
Sederunt:
A. Sharman M. Bancroft K. Lloyd L. Young A. McLeod P. Graham M. Dunne
S. Boucher G. Forsyth S. Waddell B. Ferris I. Sinclair V. Stewart A. McNeill
I. Murray A. Fowler R. Weir B. Johnston D. Millar M. Sturgeon N. Bell
C. Lawson G. MacGregor C. Pender B. Anderson S. Wilson A. Diment B. Cox
P. Campbell J. Willoughby N. Olliver A. Chalmers S. Scott R. Laurie J. Fell
D. McCormack A. Bell R. Innes K. Drum J. Reid C. Sheils D. Hall
L. Roberts C. Fenton G. MacMillan S. Holland M. Grimmer D. Sinclair M. Quinn
M. Saunders J. Battles R. Butler D. Carrigan I. Brodie
Apologies:
Helen Pearson, Richard Lovering, Marion Johnstone, Graeme Lyall, Maureen Watson, Richard Kilanowski, Helen Scott, Graeme Pearson, K. MacDonnell.
Andrew Sharman took the Chair and outlined the safety arrangements (Fire) and reminded the audience to switch off their mobiles.
Anyone not in receipt please email Secretary; pearson@mabbett.com
Point noted on Page 4 of the minutes – error in the speakers notes regarding the ICL factory explosion. No correction to the minutes required.
Proposed by – David McCormack
Seconded by – Ross Innes
None.
Branch Education Development Adviser: Liz Young reported that it was agreed at the IOSH AGM that the 2 year wait to gain Chartered Membership for Graduate members be revoked and as soon as they pass all of the requirements within the scheme they can then be given CMIOSH.
Forth & Tay District: Karen MacDonnell supplied a report for the District: - both the September and November District meetings have been well attended, 35-40 on each occasion. Topics Legal Update (Robert Fyffe) and Workplace Transport Risk Assessment (Mac Young HSE), lively debate in each case!! The IOSH member from Stornoway attended the Nov meeting it was good to be in a position to introduce her to the meeting.
Communication & Media Group: - Graeme Lyall supplied a report and apologized that the group had had to cancel the December meeting due to organisational difficulties - Apparently they must use the Connect media (and not emails) and unfortunately not all members are up to speed as yet.
Andrew Sharman commented that the IOSH Board of Trustees were aware that there had been some difficulties with Connect.
The general feedback from the audience on the night was that this was an outstanding event. The debate has raised the profile of the Edinburgh Branch.
Of the approximate 100 delegates present at the debate, there were 30 Institute of Director members. The confirmed named media delegates failed to show and as a result press coverage has been poor, though there were articles in the Scotsman and the Edinburgh Evening News following the event. Media staff from the Grange covered the debate and will prepare an article for the SHP Interface column.
Ali McLeod brought the Roger Midson Challenge Cup to the meeting. Roger Midson was the first chair of the Edinburgh branch and unfortunately died in office. His Estate presented the Branch with funds for a challenge trophy, which is open to all Edinburgh branch members and close family. The challenge is held annually with the winner from the previous year setting the ‘challenge’. Douglas McLeod won the Cup in 2007 and 2008. Details for 2009 event will be announced in June.
Associate, Environmental Health & Safety – Edinburgh
Working as part of an EH&S team for a major pharmaceutical organisation, the candidate will carry out environmental / waste management and health & safety duties. Educated to degree level in a relevant science subject and hold an appropriate EH&S qualification e.g. NEBOSH certificate with ideally a good understanding of environmental legislation.
For further information please contact craig.henry@aptuit.com
The use of psychology at work to create positive energy
Friday 27 February 2009 at Our Dynamic Earth
For further information contact Joanne Seymour, The Keil Centre.
Tel: 0131 650 0959 or email joanne@keilcentre.co.uk
The Role of an HSE Board Member and the challenges ahead; Danny Carrigan, Non-Executive Director.
Danny Carrigan gave a comprehensive history as to how he came to be a member of the HSE’s Board. Initially he worked in the shipyards on the river Clyde, which in those days was a massive industry although sadly now almost extinct. He embarked on the road of Trades Union representation, including being a Safety Rep, eventually becoming a full time official. Progressing through the ranks saw him become an official of the TUC. When a vacancy came up for the Health and Safety Commission, he was invited to apply and did so successfully.
The HSC was composed of a Chair and nine members drawn equally from business, trade union and public interests. As a result of the Hampton report, which advocated mergers of public bodies to increase efficiency and reduce confusion over roles, The HSC was absorbed into the Health & Safety Executive and became its board. Judith Hackett chairs the new board on a full time basis and the 9 other members are on a part time 25-50 days a year basis (for which they receive £16,000). The function of the Board is to provide strategic direction for the HSE, which has 4,000 staff and a budget of £300 million.
The historical picture is that since the advent of the HSE, created out of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, fatalities at work have fallen by 74%; Illnesses and major injuries have fallen by similar levels. However the context for this is the changing nature of industries. Decimation to the point of extinction has taken place in coal mining, shipbuilding, steel making and foundries in particular. Large factories involved in vehicle manufacture are also a thing of the past. At one time the Singer’s sewing machine factory was the biggest factory in the world employing 25,000 people.
This has led to the front line inspection function of the HSE being diminished as resources were switched to research. Constant debate takes place within the board on greater enforcement or persuasion, penalties versus partnership, target areas or universal coverage. Consultation is also constantly ongoing and seen as vital for new regulations. The HSE is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Work and Pensions and the Minister of State with responsibility is Lord MacKenzie. Health and Safety is a reserved issue for Westminster, but contact is made with the Scottish Government through Shona Robison MSP for Health and Jim Mather MSP for Life Long Learning & Enterprise. The Calman Commission is currently discussing the powers of the devolved Scottish Parliament to gauge if more are required. Within the Board of the HSE there is no appetite for any changes in that respect. The Board has a number of sub-ordinate committees e.g. for construction, oil and nuclear power. The HSE while maintaining a London office will continue to operate more out of their HQ in Bootle. The Board meetings are held there and in the interests of openness are open to the public.
Going forward it is a dynamic and fluid time for health and safety and all interested parties need to join in the consultative process and get their views across before the picture is resolved in a direction which may last for many years to come. In Scotland there is a new Director in Paul Stollard. He is reporting to a new Chair, Judith Hackitt. The debate will continue within the HSE’s Board on enforcement versus partnership but safety professionals should join this debate specifically at the consultation event in Glasgow on Jan 29th.
Mr. Carrigan urged participation and the pursuit of his goal, which is to make Health and Safety the cornerstone of a civilised society.
Please stay and have a coffee and meet your colleagues.
Dates of next meetings:
Edinburgh Branch:
08 January – Waste Management Plans, Derek Duckett – Project Manager and Environmental Scientist, Mabbett and Associates
Forth & Tay District:
05 February – IOSH ‘Get the Best’ campaign and AGM, Keith Underhill, IOSH Trustee
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Alistair McLeod CMIOSH pp Helen Pearson MIIRSM, CMIOSH Branch Secretary |
Graeme MacGregor CMIOSH Branch executive |