L Young R Brownlie I Wilson A Fowler G Mullen J Purdie D Duff G McNab M Galloway D Sinclair M Scott-Smith S Boucher P Gallacher M Bancroft G Lyall K Lloyd J Adamson G Pearson N Robertson A Reid M Crowston R McLean I O’Neill A Milne J Hepburn J Craig J McCraith V Jigajinni A Walker C Wilmott N Doherty M Johnstone D Cawkwell I M Murray C E White

APOLOGIES

B Pill D Brown J Davis B Davis V Stewart D Blair I Smith R Reed R Lovering

1.0 CHAIRMAN Kevin Lloyd

2. MINUTES

The 129^th Minute was accepted without amendment. Proposed by M Bancroft and Seconded by R McLean. The new distribution system was explained as being 80 hard copy sent by Headquarters with the list provided by the Secretary, 50 by e-mail and the detail also posted on the Branch Website. It was mentioned that a full Mailshot had included a request form should anyone require minutes by either post or e-mail and that to receive copy the form should be returned to the appropriate secretary.

3. MATTERS ARISING
1. Item 2.0 – Local Publicity. The future use of the mailing with the inclusion of items of local interest as a source of branch funding was discussed but no decision made. The item will be further discussed at the next Executive meeting.
2. Item 6.1 – Public Services. The 40-page document on guidance had been provided by M Johnstone and was available to the members.
3. Item 6.2 – Construction.

1. There was no information forwarded regarding the bridge building request.
2. HSG 150 (Rev) was tabled for inspection.
3. Website. Links with the HSE hazard sheets has now been made from the branch site.

1. Item 6.6 – Healthcare SG. The committee member had cancelled his proposed visit to the branch as it clashed with another meeting.
2. Item 7.2 – Manual Handling. The IOM has agreed to give a short feedback to the members during the scheduled meeting in February 2002.
3. Item 7.3 – Programme Changes. All the proposed changes to the programme have been included within the sheet, which was given a full Mailshot distribution.
4. Item 7.4 – Compressed Gases. No information had been forwarded to the Secretary.
5. Item 7.5 – Acetylene Fires. Details relating to this item had been provided by I M Murray and were available to the members present.

2. CORRESPONDENCE

4.1 Letters - J P Toland. Fellowship

4.2 Fax - Murray Safety Services. Acetylene gas cylinder fires.

4.3 E-mails - Over 130 e-mails had been received and actioned by the Secretary including:

S Davis. Job-hunting locally

M Bancroft. HSE and website information

R Lovering. SCOS detail and information

J O’Neill. Presentations

P LeHane. Research requests

A Reid. Fellow new to the area

3 in number apologies

W Dobson. Retired

I Cameron. Chair specialist group

Numerous minute requests

30 plus on Executive Committee business

4.4 Minutes - Scottish Borders Safety Forum. Working Safely with Work Equipment

IOSH West of Scotland. Hazel Harvey IOSH

Fife Chamber of Safety. The Psychologist’s View

Scottish Construction Safety Group. Fall protection systems

4.5 Membership 739 Branch members from a national total of 25,012

274 Corporate 287 Associates 71 TechSP

172 Public Service 179 Construction

29 Members suspended

4.6 Adverts - Numerous adverts depicting items of interest were tabled.

Copies of all the above-mentioned correspondence were made available for the Members present. Further information can be obtained on request from the Secretary.

3. BRANCH EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR – Liz Young
1. Tech SP. The members were reminded that the last date for registering for consideration for up grading was the end of the year. Forms, held by Liz, were available for completion but have to be forwarded to HQ.
2. Modern Apprenticeships. The HSE are supporting modern apprenticeships for those over 25 years old, a scheme funded by the Scottish Executive but there has to be Employers commitment.
4. SPECIALIST GROUPS
1. PUBLIC SERVICES – M Johnstone

A full report was given of the recent meeting of the Group attended by the Branch Representative and included the future plan, location of future main events, hopefully soon to be in Scotland, progress on the Best Value debate and information about the six Guidance Papers being produced. Members with specific requests and suggestions regarding possible topics for guidance were asked to contact Marion directly.

2. CONSTRUCTION – R McLean

The recently introduced revision of the ACOP and Guidance covering the CDM Regulations and where the HSE are indicating exerting pressures; a new directive on Working at Heights; NEBOSH and the Construction Certificate – a two week course – and a short discussion relating to equivalence. Some recently introduced CIS and HSG books were tabled for information.

3. FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT - D Sinclair

The group membership targeted fro 250 by the end of the year stands at 465 now and could increase after HQ on-going review. The website expansion is being hampered by HQ protocol (not linking to profit making sites) but being discussed with the relevant department. The Fire Conference 2002 will be held in Manchester during June and members will be kept informed – Fire Risk Assessment, Arson, Emergency Planning among the topics. A Chairman’s letter has been distributed and contains a questionnaire – the returns will be reviewed in the New Year

4. HEALTHCARE – W Scott-Smith

A New Members Pack was available and tabled for information; Patient Care within the NHS was mentioned and again the possibility of a Healthcare SG committee member’s attendance at a Branch meeting was suggested.

5. ENVIRONMENT – M Bancroft

The Webkeeper agreed to keep a watching brief on this SP Group until after the AGM as it was hoped that a representative could be found to take up the remit on behalf of the Branch.

6.6 OFFSHORE – T BOYD No report was tabled.

6.7 RAILWAY - No representative has been nominated

6.8 CONSULTANCY - No representative has been nominated

5. DISTRICT REPORT – B Pill - The proposed District representative was not present at the meeting and had made no earlier report.
1. The Chairman mentioned that the Proposed District has been functioning well and seems to be on a firm footing, which will require confirmation at their AGM in February.
2. There are grounds for encouragement and hope that in the near future the Branch could consider making recommendation to Council for District status within the Edinburgh Branch.
3. It was noted that once again the Chairman of the Working Group had resigned before the end of his agreed term.
6. MEMBERS ITEMS
1. The Chairman expressed his great pleasure when introducing this section of the meeting. The Branch had been asked to make presentation to two students of Stevenson College to acknowledge their achievements in obtaining awards in occupational safety and health. The course undertaken being run by Stevenson College’s Professional Development Programme Safety Technician and Safety Management – both courses being approved by IOSH for satisfying the academic requirement for grades of Membership.

1. Graeme Pearson, Safety Manager, Defense Aviation Repair Agency

Higher Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health

Academic requirement for Tech SP

2. John Adamson TechSP, Occupational Hygienist, Edinburgh University

Academic requirement for MIOSH

1. The Chairman then added to the occasion by making a third presentation and this time to

Graeme Lyall, MIOSH, Safety Consultant

Corporate Membership Certificate

The members responded warmly to these achievements.

2. Foam Extinguishers and 24Kv power lines. The question was posed concerning the use of foam extinguishers above power lines and ‘sparked’ some debate. Any definitive information should be directed through the Secretary.
3. Railway Specialist Group. The Chairman of this group has approached the Branch looking for a contact name and possibly a branch representative on the SG standing committee. Any member with this specialization having interest should contact the Secretary.
4. DTLR. A questionnaire has been circulated throughout local authorities nationally requesting information on health surveillance – this has prompted some high level reluctance. Any member with additional information is asked to contact the Secretary.

2. GUEST SPEAKER

10.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Speakers will be:

Hazel Harvey, Head of Professional Affairs, IOSH

&

Steven Vickers, Chief Executive, NEBOSH