IOSH launches the LinkedIn Construction Subgroup

18 June 2012

If you’ve heard of the official IOSH LinkedIn group, and perhaps have even joined and taken part in debate, you will be aware that this online community is going from strength to strength. 

Its 3,000^th member was welcomed with a prized IOSH mug barely three weeks ago. Now it looks as though another mug will be packaged and parcelled for its imminent 4,000^th. It’s not bad work for the OSH networking hub, which opened its virtual doors only a year ago in June 2011.

Now the IOSH Construction Group, the organisation’s largest with more than 11,000 members based both in the UK and abroad, is to become the first of its subgroups. It’s big news for both IOSH and the Group, and there is good reason.

LinkedIn, an online platform that promotes professional-orientated networking and development, debate and open knowledge sharing, is now a common household name. Chances are, if you’re not one of the current 161 million members using it, you will have at least heard of it.

Suitably used, this platform provides occupational opportunities that complement more conventional means of engagement, such as face-to-face meetings, and it’s this potential that has attracted the attention of IOSH’s Construction Group.

“Group chair David Ackerley told us: “As LinkedIn’s influence grows and IOSH’s own LinkedIn group is becoming a well-established community, the idea of starting a specialist subgroup for the construction industry seemed like a natural development for us.

“We are a large group, whose members can be found across the globe, and the LinkedIn subgroup will fit in well with our strategy, which was reviewed recently.

“Suiting one of our key objectives to improve communication with members, the subgroup will help us reaching a broader and more diverse audience, creating inclusive dialogues and stimulating debate on key issues.

“We will seek opinion and feedback from members regularly, which in turn will encourage a supportive professional community.

“Ultimately, we envisage the subgroup will be a vibrant online environment for anyone interested in occupational health and safety, with particular focus on construction.”

The Official IOSH Group’s Administrator Annalisa Marzotti adds: “The Construction Group identified the need to further its communication channels with members and LinkedIn proved the most effective option.

“A crucial aspect is how important each single member will be in its growth. It is a tool created for members, but ultimately developed by members; it will be their community and virtual meeting place.

“We are all excited about the launch and I encourage people to contact me if they have any thoughts or need any assistance before, at or after the launch.”

The subgroup, which launches on Monday 18 June, is open to anyone however, in order to join, you will first need to be a member of its parent, the official IOSH group. This can be found at http://www.linkedin.com/groups/official-IOSH-group-3969846 or by searching on the LinkedIn groups’ search tab.