IOSH Hong Kong branch celebrates its 10th Year Anniversary

November 2009

Nattasha Freeman, IOSH President, and Sarah Hamilton, IOSH Networks and International Director, flew over to Hong Kong on 30 October 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the IOSH Hong Kong branch.

Nattasha launched their 3 day visit by delivering a presidential address to over 70 IOSH Hong Kong branch members and invited guests at the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel, in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district. Invited guests included Hong Kong government officials and representatives from professional institutions, universities and businesses.

The Chief Officer of Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, Ir James Blake OBE, a former Hong Kong Government Secretary for Works and an IOSH Honorary Vice President, was there to express his best wishes and spoke about his passion for safety during his career in Hong Kong:

"We have all been privileged to hear IOSH President Nattasha Freeman give such an excellent overview of the Institution past, present and future,” he said. “Given the scale of the railway projects facing Hong Kong over the next few years, the tasks facing safety professionals will become even more important."

Nattasha and Sarah’s second engagement in a busy schedule was at the IOSH Hong Kong 10th Anniversary Open Presidential Seminar, which took place at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education in Wan Chai. A 100-strong audience heard Nattasha’s presentation, ‘The sustainability of the Health and Safety Agenda’, which featured details of IOSH’s vision in the UK, social safety in the UK, and fostering a safety culture for the younger generation.

They ended their trip with a visit to Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway. After an overview of the development of safety management at the railway since 1979, they visited the depot and Hung Hom station:

“I’m impressed by the high standard of occupational safety and health that the Mass Transit Railway has achieved,” Nattasha commented.