Sederunt:

S Chisholm D Mann D Devey B Davies B Stainton K McDonnell R Greer T Mellon P Szazwloski K Paterson J Dewar J Goddard J Easton R Lacey J Brannigan A Thomson M McGillivray N Doherty B Pill A Pill

Apologies: M.Bancroft, K.Lloyd, R.Lovering, R. McDonnell,

After an enjoyable buffet the meeting opened at 7.30pm and Kirsten welcomed all present to the 17^th meeting and 2^nd AGM of the Forth and Tay District. She thanked everyone for coming out on a wet evening and was very happy to see both new and familiar faces. Kirsten explained the emergency and housekeeping arrangements and reminded all to sign the attendance sheet. Having outlined the agenda of the meeting she welcomed the guest speaker, Jim Dewar from the Forestry Commission and then introduced Dave Devey, Secretary.

Dave pointed out that copies of the last AGM had been distributed within the room. He then reminded those attending to complete the Attendance Register requesting that contact details are printed and new e-mail and postal addresses are made clear to avoid errors.

Having reviewed the minutes of the last AGM page by page, they were agreed as a true record with no amendments.

Proposed by: Brian Pill Seconded by: Barry Davies

Now in its 4^th year, Kirsten commented on the continued success of the District and the superb facilities made available by the PKVS, which provides an excellent venue to meet, network and invite guest speakers. She then gave an overview of the last 12 months highlighting the wide diversity of topics covered in the four talks, which were delivered with skill and enthusiasm by the speakers and the usefulness of the industrial visit to WCF Potatoes in June. She thanked the Committee for their continued effort, dedication and commitment to ensure the meetings were well organised but reminded all present that feedback and suggestions for improvement are always welcomed.

Dave reiterated Kirsten�s comments on the history of the District with the first meeting held in May 2000 through to becoming an official District in October 2002. The membership base has increased from 52 to 69 with average attendances of 18-19 remaining steady over 2001/02 and 2002/03.

Announcements & Correspondence

• At a Branch conference last year, IOSH president Eleanor Lawson outlined a priority programme regarding Slips and Trips. A power point presentation by the HSE on Slips & Trips is now available on CD. Anyone interested should contact Dave Devey.
• IOSH04 conference and exhibition 21^st-23^rd April 04, information leaflets issued.
• PSPM Expo, SEC Glasgow 18^th-19^th February 04. (Public Sector People Management). More information from Dave Devey.
• District Industrial Visit arranged for the afternoon of June 3^rd at the Tayside Fire Rescue Service new training facility in Perth. Contact Barry Davies for more information. With places limited to 12, anyone interested in attending should inform Dave Devey as soon as possible.
• Copies of a safety booklet for volunteers entitled "Millennium Volunteer, Be Safe" are available after the meeting.
• Next Edinburgh Branch meeting: 12^th February 04, 1.30pm at Donaldsons
  "New IOSH Membership Structure and Strategic Alliances". See the web site for more information.

Copies of the 2003/2004 financial statement were distributed and reviewed by Sandy Chisholm. As no questions or issues were raised the statement will be forwarded to Branch Treasurer for inclusion in Branch accounts.

Nominations had been received in writing for the District Executive Committee. As there were no comments or objections the following under mentioned Principle Officers were elected.

Chair � Kirsten Paterson

Secretary � Dave Devey

The under mentioned Executive Committee Members were elected

Barry Davies (Vice Chair)

Sandy Chisholm (Treasurer)

Karen McDonnell (Branch Liaison Officer)

Robin Greer

Joan Goddard

Andy Stark

D.Devey then proposed that D.Mann be co-opted as a committee member and this was seconded by Kirsten Paterson. The appropriate forms to confirm this will be completed as soon as possible. Kirsten also commented that some of the current committee members should stand down next year and urged members to consider putting forward nominations next year. The importance of this was reaffirmed by B.Pill.

Kirsten introduced our Guest Speaker for the evening Mr Jim Dewar from The Forestry Commission.

Jim opened his presentation by giving a brief overview of the environment and work involved.

The Forestry Commission had been established in 1919. They were the largest landowners in the country allowing free access to the public. To demonstrate the scale of the industry he said timber production had increased 6 fold in the last 10 year�s.

Jim explained that the forest industry was an all year round job involving planting , spraying and harvesting different varieties of tree�s in difficult and sometimes rugged terrains. It was a hidden industry because it was out of the public eye but there was a large organisation working in the background.

There is a very flexible and mobile workforce required involving direct workers and contract workers working all over the UK and Europe. It is a high-risk industry with the latest statistics from HSE putting forestry workers in the top 3 dangerous jobs per 100 workers.

The majority of companies working in the forestry industry were small / medium enterprises ( SME ) with staff of less than 5 people. These companies had to commit a huge capital investment with machines costing from �250K upwards. The machines were capable of massive output ( 40-60 trees per day). The high volume was to ensure the operation was viable in direct response to cheaper foreign imports.

Jim then explained some of the many health and safety considerations that had to be taken into account

Hand held tools (e.g. Chain Saws) � Noise / PPE / Musculoskeletal disorders

Purpose built machinery from Scandinavia is used to lift goods onto transport. Equipment needs to be certified, CE Markings, comply with PUWER regulations.

Due to the weight and size of the product one of the major problems to be addressed is movement of goods from forest to customer. Some of the county roads cannot bear the weight of the load. The forestry commission therefore have to create roads within the forests to move the goods.

Jim showed a video, which had been conducted by the Transport Research Lab and the HSE. It had simulated a lorry carrying logs and the results of going round a roundabout at 30 miles per hour. The lorry had tipped over due to the method of securing the load. The results had enabled the industry to discuss safer methods of securing loads being transported by road.

One of the most serious problems that the forestry commission had to deal with was fire. This could be due to extremely dry weather or malicious vandalism. This required liaison with the fire service to develop strategies for every eventuality. When responding to a forest fire the fire officer attending the scene is in charge.

Training was a key element in combating fire.

Due to the large area of land owned by the Forestry Commission there was a great deal of interaction with the public. Jim gave five examples where this occurred

Jim handed out HSE publication Managing Health and Safety in Forestry INDG294 (rev 1) that had been launched in 1999 and had greatly improved health and safety standards in the industry. The publication detailed the chain of command, role of management and responsibilities.

Jim then explained the four management roles

Landowner - The person in control of the land on which the work takes place.

Co-ordinates the activities of the overall forest environment

Collect information about hazards on and around forestry worksites and pass to FWM

Ensure that the work on a worksite does not affect the Health and Safety of other people.

Forestry Work Manager � The person who commissions work on a forestry site.

Use the information from the landowner to prepare an outline risk assessment for the work on site.

Select competent contractors who have made adequate provision for health and safety.

Specify the health and safety measures for contractors working on and visiting the site.

Liase with the landowner.

Monitor health and safety on the site.

Contractor � The provider of a forestry service.

Work with the FWM to ensure health and safety standards are met.

Select subcontractors who are competent and have made adequate provision for health and safety.

Manage your subcontractors to promote good health and safety practices

Subcontractor � Anyone engaged by a contractor other than by direct employment

Co-operate with the arrangements for health and safety on the site.

Manage your own health and safety.

Jim finished his presentation by explaining that having put systems in place it had had the effect of reducing accident rates over the last two years. It also re-assured Insurance companies, HSE, Trade Unions etc that health and safety was a top priority for the forestry industry.

Barry thanked Jim for his excellent presentation and commented on the diverse range of health and safety issues that had to be considered and addressed.

Jim was then presented with a gift as a token of appreciation from the district.