FORTH AND TAY DISTRICT

of

EDINBURGH BRANCH

32nd Meeting

Dewar Centre, Glover Street, Perth

at 7.30 pm Thursday 6th September 2007

Sederunt.

S Fowler                     P Szawlowski                        A Thomson                K McDonnell

K Paterson                 R Paterson                 P Hally                        D Murray

D Haggart                  E Mollison                  S Chisholm                D Binnie

A Pill                           D Clark                       W Miller                      I Scragg

T Mellon                      R Summers                R Turner                     L Roberts

N Broom                     T Sayer                       D Clayton                   R Stainton

D Morrison                 A Reavey                   K Driscoll                   R Greer

J Goddard                  R Murray                     L Scorgie                   A Arthur

A Howey                     A Milne                      

Apologies

D Mann                       P McCusker               H McCrea                  G McNab

A Izzard                      R McDonnell              M Powell

1.         Chairperson                        Karen McDonnell

·        The Chairperson opened the meeting at 7.30 pm welcoming everyone attending the 32nd Meeting of the Forth and Tay District.  Karen observed that the number attending was high even taking into account the apologies the Secretary had received. Karen welcomed all visitors especially the Aberdeen Branch members. She went on to deal with the Centre’s administrative and emergency procedures.  Karen then outlined the agenda for the evening which departed from previous meetings: first, business; second, a short session from Sandy Fowler to recap on the recent visit to the FMC site; a short refreshment break and, finally, the main guest speaker for the evening Mr Robert Fife of Anderson Strathern.

·        Karen also asked the meeting to note that refreshments had been provided for the break.  (Members had already availed themselves!)

·        The Chair informed members that a simple name-badge system had been provided that would facilitate easy identification of one another – particularly for people attending for the first time.  The Secretary would continue to look after the (unused) badges and make them available at future meetings.

2.                  Minutes of the 31st Meeting on the 12th April 2007

·        The Secretary asked if anyone was not receiving e-mails to inform Dick Mann and to double check spelling on sederunt sheets

·        Meeting was asked for any apologies not previously given.

·        The Secretary informed the meeting that copies of the 31st meeting had been distributed by e-mail, paper copies were also distributed throughout the room for reference.  The meeting was asked if there were any comments to be made regarding the Minutes of that meeting. No comments were forthcoming and, so, it was proposed that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of that meeting.

Proposed:            Sandy Fowler                                    Seconded:     Kirsten Paterson

3.         Secretary’s Report                         Stand in Allan Thomson

Jimmy Noblett : does anyone know who he is?

Dave Devey and Bob McDonnell  (bobmcdonnell@btinternet.com)

Allan on behalf of Dick requested that anyone who was in contact with the above contact them and explain the situation; if they telephoned him (Dick) using the number given on the IOSH  Branch / District website he would alter e-mail details

4.      Correspondence

Nothing to report except to remind interested parties that the Perth College Vacancy closing day was Friday 7th September 2007.

5.         Branch Liaison – Karen McDonnell

Advised that the IOSH MSP’s booklet will be launched at the Scottish Parliament on 30th October, this will further raise the profile of IOSH within Scotland and build our reputation as a body that can be consulted in relation to health and safety issues within a Scottish context.

IOSH Scotland is continuing to meet on a regular basis, bringing together branch and districts to ensure that a commonality of approach may be sustained. Noted that IOSH have produced a document ‘Get the Best’ which outlines a campaign calling on government and other key stakeholders to amongst other issues ‘develop a clearly defined statement on ‘competence’ in health and safety.

Sarah Jones of the HSE Scotland Directors Office has been seconded to the Scottish Government to co-ordinate the implementation of the Scottish Action Plan on Health and Safety. There are a number of action plan elements coming to fruition over the next 6 months, IOSH members have a role to play, Sarah will be addressing the December meeting of POOSH Scotland to discuss opportunities to get involved.

CPD involvement in this scheme is not optional if members wish to safeguard their professional status. The online system offers you the opportunity to create a structured career path as well assisting in demonstrating competency. KMcDstressed the importance of members to ensure they are registered on the CPD scheme, those who may not have registered could  lose membership status.

6.         Any Other Competent Business

Sandy Fowler then reviewed for the members, the visit to the FMC site at Dunfermline.

The visit involved the following with 8 members attending

    Pre registering with name badges on arrival

    Safety induction at reception with the use of plasma screen video (5 minutes)

    Met by Alan Harwood and John Johnston and taken to training room where refreshments were provided

    Introduced to Mr Ian Robertson, Manufacturing Manager

    45 minute presentation by Mr Robertson on FMC history and business products etc. (Touched on health ,safety and environment, but because the attendees were safety "experts" the presentation did not dwell overlong on safety alone, but     how safety is an integral part of all manufacturing operations).

    Question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

The visiting party was then split into two groups of four, provided with a "high-vis." vest, eye protection and safety helmets and then taken on a tour of the plant that lasted about 90 minutes.

Upon return to the meeting room, on behalf of the Forth and Tay District an Appreciation of Thanks was sincerely expressed to Alan, John and Ian of FMC Technologies for giving the District the opportunity for the visit and the hospitality and warmth shown throughout.  Everyone agreed this was a most interesting and informative visit and thoroughly enjoyable.

Ten Minute Speaker  - 

Karen briefed the meeting that, at the recent meeting of the Branch Committee they decided that providing a 10 minute “speaker slot” for members to put forward ideas, information or solutions to problems they’d encountered for the benefit of others was a good idea.  This is the rational behind the District Committee electing to have such a 10 minute “slot volunteers are required for the November and February meetings. This is an opportunity to share best practise and innovation between members, the chair strongly encouraged those present to consider presenting a paper.

8.         Guest Speaker -      Mr Robert Fife     Anderson Strathern

Karen introduced Robert who had last spoken to the district 4/5 years ago and pointed out that it was probably no coincidence that the numbers were swollen tonight with his talks always being well received.

Robert’s title for his talk was :

“Is there hope for the HS&E Advisor. Where are we now and what next”

Attached to this report is Robert’s own summary and presentation of his talk which will do more justice than I could by mentioning some of his points.

At the end of his very interesting and entertaining presentation Robert, after a short comfort break, invited questions from the audience.  A number of members took the opportunity to raise points and Robert dealt with them in his good humoured way.  Any member requiring the PowerPoint Presentation please email the District Secretary.

9.         Vote of Thanks –  Robin Greer

At the end of Robert’s presentation to the meeting, Robin Greer thanked him for a most interesting presentation.  In particular Robin highlighted the fact that there maybe is hope for us all but that it is also handy to have “friends” like Robert. He then proposed that the Meeting then show its appreciation in the usual way. After applause, a gift on behalf of the District in appreciation of a very informative and enjoyable talk was given to Robert Fife by Karen.

10.       Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at the Dewar Centre on Thursday the 1st November 2007 commencing at 7.30pm.  The Guest Speaker will be Mr Iain Kelly, Fife Legislative Safety Department whose topic will be :

“Fire Risk Assessment & Fire Safety Guidance”