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FORTH and TAY DISTRICT
of
EDINBURGH BRANCH
12th meeting and AGM 2003
Gateway Centre, North Methven Street, Perth at 7:30pm Thursday 6th February 2003.
The AGM assembles
Eleanor Lawson, President IOSH
Hazel Harvey, IOSH Head of Professional Affairs
Kirsten Paterson, Chair & Dave Devey, Secretary
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Attendance:
D. Devey S. Chisholm B. Pill D. Mann P. Szawlowski K. Paterson B. Stainton K. McDonnell B. Davies J. Bird A. Stark B. Holmes R. Lovering M. Bancroft P. McCusker E. Crighton W. Smith A. Sharman R. Greer A.Manson P. Colquhoun J. Cowan A. Milne G.McGeorge J. Coupe J. Goddard M. Longhorn N. Doherty N. Howard C. A???? E. Lawson G. Fowlie L. Scorgie H. Harvey N. Stevenson
Apologies:
M. Batho P. Dixon R. Carroll Alec. Milne A. Fowler K. Lloyd B. McDonnell C. White S. Dunn
1: Chairperson: Kirsten Paterson.
Following a well-received buffet and chat between members and friends, Kirsten opened the meeting at 7:30pm and welcomed all present to the 12th meeting of the District and the 1st AGM of the officially recognised Forth and Tay District. Kirsten explained the emergency procedures and reminded all to sign the attendance sheet. The agenda of the meeting was outlined and Kirsten continued by stating how privileged she felt to be able to welcome tonight, the Institution's President, Eleanor Lawson, the Institutions Head of Professional affairs, Hazel Harvey and guest interest speaker Mr. Norman Stevenson.
2: Eleanor Lawson President of IOSH
The President opened her address by saying how delighted she was to be addressing the new Forth and Tay District members.
Royal Charter Status:
- The President stated that it had taken 11 long years to achieve the Royal Chartered status
- The charter was presented on the 15th November 2002, but does not apply until 1st April 2003.
- That the Royal Charter applied to the Organisation and not to the individual.
- The Royal Charter showed our position and status and showed that we are the best in our field.
Theme for the Year: Professionals in Partnership:
- This is also the National Conference theme in April 2003.
- Up till this morning 291 delegates had booked for the conference.
- President stated that our paths crossed with other professionals and it was hoped that we could break down any barriers that may exist.
- We are working towards revitalisation and will use best practice and partnership to help us succeed.
Corporate Identity:
- Eleanor commented that you either loved or hated the new logo for IOSH.
- All new documents and letterheads were being printed and issued with the new logo
- The logo has modern, clean, sharp images in it that reflects our entry into a new century.
- The logo change came about in our Corporate plan in 2000, where the review of our identity began.
- During the logo change process, we consulted extensively with internal and external partners.
- It was also decided that because the IOSH acronym was so well known and respected that it would not change, although the full name, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health will not feature so prominently in the future.
- The ribbon on the existing IOSH letterheads will go.
- The coat of arms that is currently being used will be retained.
Professional Standards:
- Eleanor quickly commented on professional standards, as Hazel Harvey would be discussing this shortly.
- This year sees the launch of the new ENTO standards.
- That CPD will become mandatory to retain membership.
Development of The Grange:
- The development of the Grange was agreed by council in 2002.
- This will be the final build on this site as there is no more space.
- The development will improve the facilities and services.
- The development is necessary because of the growth in IOSH.
- There will also be a new reception area.
IOSH:
- There has been growth in the specialist subject area.
- There has been growth in International activities; there are now 30 IOSH groups worldwide.
- There was a need for improved Corporate Governance.
The President finished by thanking all for listening so intently.
Kirsten Paterson thanked the President for her interesting and informative presentation and presented her with a small gift from the Forth and Tay District.
3: Hazel Harvey, IOSH Head of Professional Affairs
Development of the Professional
Hazel explained that the ENTO National Standards in Occupational Health & Safety were launched in August 2002 resulting in the addition of a new strategic level, Level 5, comparable to other sectors. Level 4 would continue to be the main grade ensuring competence, whilst Level 3 would apply to those with a role in health & safety. She went on to explain that Level 4 would form the basis for IOSH membership and would be competence based with entry requiring formal assessment of knowledge, skills and experience. Interview training and the formation of assessment panels would support this.
With the maintenance of competence more critical than ever the CPD (Continual Professional Development) programme is being reviewed. Benchmarking from other organisations, modernisation with completion on-line and with completion being a mandatory requirement for all designated grades
A programme of CPD courses has been arranged, including courses being made available in Scotland. Further information is available from the Professional Affairs Department at IOSH Headquarters.
University health and safety qualifications are being reviewed and NEBOSH examinations modified. Hazel went on to explain that the new NVQ qualifications were launched on the 1st January 2003.
She finished her talk with a look into the future with the possibility of individual chartered status to come.
Kirsten made a vote of thanks and a small presentation on behalf of the District.
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4: Chairman�s Report: Kirsten Paterson
Recalling the meetings from the last 12 months, Kirsten commented that a strong committee had combined to organise a very successful year of informed and instructional meetings with a wide diversity of excellent guest speakers.
The District meetings are attracting on average approximately 20 people, which is very encouraging and demonstrates that the District is providing a valuable additional service to supplement the Branch activities.
Kirsten thanked PKVS for the excellent facilities that we continue to enjoy at the Gateway Centre and finally gave a personal thanks to all the members of her committee for their continued support and hard work over the past year.
5: Secretary�s Report: Dave Devey
Correspondence: It was reported that 30 emails had been received or sent mainly between Branch and HQ regarding meetings, programme, advertising etc. All correspondence is available to members following the main meeting.
Members present were reminded of the importance of completing the attendance register and if copies of minutes or future correspondence were required please indicate on the attendance sheet and provide a contact address � preferably an email address.
Dave highlighted a few facts and figures on the numbers attending District meetings, which showed that average attendance had increased by 25% during 2002 / 2003, compared with 2001 / 2002. and the District now had a mailing list of 54 members. All indications were that support for the District is continuing to increase, which bodes well for the future.
6: Minutes of last AGM (meeting number 7)
The minutes were agreed as a true record with no amendments
Proposed by Brian Pill seconded by Andy Stark
7: Proposal to Accept Constitution
As required by the IOSH constitution the District is required to formally adopt the said constitution. The following proposal being tabled
"This District of IOSH formally adopts as its regulations Section3.1.3 of the IOSH Corporate Manual and as required by that section, will be known as the Forth and Tay District. The District Executive Committee will consist of a Chair, Secretary and up to 6 additional members".
Proposed by Sandy Chisholm seconded by Joan Goddard
There being no objections the proposal was accepted
8: Financial Report Sandy Chisholm
Copies of the 2002/2003 financial statement were distributed and talked through by Sandy Chisholm. There being no questions or issues raised the statement will be forwarded to Branch Treasurer for inclusion in Branch accounts.
9: District Elections
Nominations had been received in writing for the District Executive Committee.
The under mentioned Principle Officers were elected
Chair � Kirsten Paterson Secretary � Dave Devey
The under mentioned Executive Committee Members were elected
Barry Davies Sandy Chisholm Karen McDonnell Robin Greer Joan Goddard Andy Stark
Guest Speaker: Norman Stevenson
MELONHEAD
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10. Guest Speaker: Mr Norman Stevenson
Kirsten introduced Guest Speaker, Norman Stevenson of Motherwell Bridge Holdings
MELONHEAD (Machine Operator to Fruit Salad in One Fall)
Norman commenced his presentation by giving a brief overview of Motherwell Bridge Holdings and the types of works they carry out.
In his role as Group Safety Manager and the chairman of their Health and Safety Forum it was becoming apparent that concern was increasing through the company with regard to safety failures.
An in-depth review of systems and procedures was implemented
This review went back to the basics considering all of the following:
Safety failures � why do we fail
Accidents � injury resultant or not
Legislation � the black and white shall do / must comply etc.
The reality � the grey areas
The facts - > 90% of accidents are caused by people
Developing a team approach to improvement by
Working together as groups involving people from different Plants and/or companies within the group.
Gaining agreement between groups
Adopting the best parts from existing systems across the companies.
Developing 1st and 2nd draft documents with common standard within companies across the country
Obtaining main board approval across the whole country
Implementation
Training and increasing awareness
Leading by example
Encouraging compliance
Getting rid of blame culture
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This whole exercise would be enough for most companies however for MBH this was just the start.
To test and appraise the developed system a major in-company exercise (code name MELONHEAD) was put into action. This was the simulation of fatal injury accident at the companies Elland Works in West Yorkshire.
The incident enacted was devised as a result of a near miss situation involving an overhead crane operator accessing the crane gantry 60 feet above the workshop floor. Only a very few select people had been briefed as to the fact that this was a simulation and for all employees including senior management this was the real thing.
4th July 2001, a life size mannequin, who�s head happened to be (yes you�ve guessed it) a water melon, falls from the overhead crane gantry with the inevitable consequences, setting in motion the company�s responses following such an incident.
The local Police, Paramedics and the HSE had all been contacted and their help requested. Their response was excellent and they used the simulation as training for their own people. The HSE although fully in favour of the exercise were not able to afford the time of an inspector so with their permission the role was carried out by an insurance assessor from the company�s insurers.
There followed a full emergency response with paramedics and police arriving in force. After attending the "casualty" it was announced that a fatality had occurred.
A police investigation followed with senior officers interviewing and taking statements from witnesses, works safety advisor and managers. Remember at this stage and the following HSE investigation all those being interviewed and questioned were not aware that this was a simulated event.
HSE investigation commenced with interviews under caution for managers, senior management, other witnesses and the recording of statements and included a full review of all documentation, procedures, assessments, training records, inspections and the like.
Following the investigation the "HSE inspector" summoned all main board members and senior management to a summing up meeting where they were advised of breaches identified, which included
Reg. 3 MHSWR � lack of risk assessment
Reg. 8 MHSWR � lack of employee training
Sec. 2 HASAWA � failure to ensure the health and safety of an employee
And outlined the actions that the HSE intended to take
Prosecute the company on the aforementioned breaches
Seek to charge the most senior responsible director with corporate manslaughter.
As it was still not known that this was a simulated exercise, one can imagine that there were a few very uncomfortable people about at this stage.
Lessons learnt from exercise were listed as
Commitments require to be reviewed and reassessed
Procedures require to be reviewed (both documented and practised)
Levels of awareness to be increased.
The whole of the exercise was recorded and a video produced which continues to be used as a valuable training tool within the company.
At the beginning of his talk Norman had intimated that there was a sting in the tail which he now explained as �
Only 6 months later in the same works a dangerous occurrence occurred, the operation involving lifting operations being under the control of the same management team and making some of the same mistakes again.
11: Vote of thanks Barry Davies
Barry thanked Norman for his excellent presentation commenting on the commitment and extreme lengths that MBH had gone to in the simulation exercise. Norman was presented with a gift as a token of appreciation from the District.
Brian & Kirsten with gavel
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12: Brian Pill
Announcing his pleasure in the fact that full district status had been achieved, he felt that tonight was a special night particularly for him as he could now really commence his retirement.
Brian remarked that having been away from daily involvement in health and safety for the past 12 months. He appreciated more, just how quickly you loose touch and the importance of ongoing CPD for today�s safety practitioners. He reminded all of the importance of IOSH meetings and sharing information with other members.
Brian had however made good use of some of his retirement so far and in developing his wood turning skills had made a beautifully turned and polished gavel that he presented to the District. Kirsten was delighted to accept this gift on behalf the District and thanked Brian for very kind gesture, for his help and advice over the past couple of years, and she wished Brian the very best for the future.
14. Date of next Meeting: Thursday 3rd April 2003
Happy, Healthy and Here: a proactive partnership approach to Health at Work � Scottish Power
Commencing at 19.30, PKVS, Gateway Centre, Perth.
15. Closure
Kirsten brought the meeting to a close at 21.10 by thanking all for their attendance and participation and bade all a safe journey home.
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Dave Devey |
Kirsten Paterson |
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Secretary |
Chair |
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