Success for IOSH 2011

17 March 2011

Over a thousand delegates from around the world visited the IOSH 2011 conference and exhibition this week to examine health and safety in a new political, legal and economic climate, in a bid to save more lives at work.

Held at London’s ExCel on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 March and chaired by BBC Today programme broadcaster, Justin Webb, the event brought together thought leaders in health and safety to discuss key issues in the profession. Amongst those, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) chair Judith Hackitt CBE gave the keynote address, assessing the impact of the Government-commissioned review of health and safety – ‘Common Sense, Common Safety’. Meanwhile, heads from the Olympic Delivery Authority discussed how the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games could leave a lasting health and safety legacy.

During the two days, 774 people attended the conference and 1,229 visitors walked through the exhibition doors to view networks and spotlight presentations, and ask IOSH staff membership and website-related questions. The newly launched CoreSkills+ programme also welcomed 135 attendees to its sessions.

IOSH chief executive Rob Strange OBE said: “The scale of this event is, I think, a perfect illustration of how vital good, practical, proportionate health and safety advice is in workplaces around the world.

“Throughout IOSH 2011 I’ve had members, non-members and speakers tell me how encouraged they are that the event has got to the heart of the profession, discussing the issues that really matter to them – workplace wellbeing and the doctor’s sick note, the Corporate Manslaughter Act and its ramifications, and how the public sector maintains health and safety standards amongst the current cutbacks.

“We wanted to make sure that this year, we gave people even more opportunity to see things they could take back and apply in their own working lives. Aside from the conference, during the exhibition, our spotlight sessions gave delegates advice on how they can get the most out of membership, and networks presentations showed what great work the IOSH branches and groups do. Now, we’ll be preparing for next year’s event, pushing the boundaries to make it even bigger and better.”

International delegates from countries including the Middle East, America, Canada, Singapore, Australia and the European Union, descended upon London, visiting the London 2012 Olympics site on Monday. President of the American Society of Safety Engineers, Darryl C. Hill, and Peter Sturm, President of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, both chaired sessions and addressed conference visitors.

IOSH president Steve Granger and Ron Durdle, from the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals also signed a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations.

In discussing the links forged during the conference, Mr Granger said: “In meeting other safety organisations from around the world, there’s always a constant, positive reminder that we are all striving towards the same aim of making our workplaces healthier and safer.

“When I started out in this presidency one of my main aims was to develop lasting relationships to enable our members, and members of other organisations, to share best practice to drive standards. The events of the past couple of days will help that cause.”

At the drinks reception on Tuesday evening, the inaugural IOSH and HSE Innovation in Safety – Small Business Award was presented to Anthony Tetlow, managing director of Safety Smart Risk Management Consultants, for his iPhone/iPad/iTouch application to improve health and safety in hair salons. Mr Granger also presented the first President’s Alliance Award to commemorate the work of IOSH’s groups and branches. It was won by the Thames Valley Branch for its community engagement in sponsoring the National Film and Television School’s Award for health and safety.

During the event, speakers gave their opinions on topics including the Government health and safety review, public spending cuts, and top-down health and safety:

Dianah Worman OBE is advisor for diversity for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and chaired day two chair for the conference track, ‘Developing healthy working lives’.

She said: “Our discussions centred around being proactive – thinking ahead and developing good processes. It can cost a serious amount of money to help people recover, so prevention is better than cure.”

Nick Starling, Director of General Insurance and Health for the Association of British Insurers, spoke on 'Common Sense - Common Safety'.

He said: "The report is a good opportunity to get rid of the myths and focus on reality and the real outcomes we want to see."

Hugh Robertson, Trades Union Congress (TUC) senior policy officer for health and safety, touched upon the areas targeted for public spending cuts.

He said: "We are not arguing that health and safety is a special case amongst other areas like education and welfare. But it’s crucial to the wellbeing of all workers, and it has to be a top priority for the Government and we will continue to both fight the cuts, and support our members who are affected."

Steve Pointer, head of health and safety policy for EEF, The Manufacturers' Organisation, gave expert insight during his session, 'Scorecard reporting - bridging the gap between professionals and board directors'.

He said: "It's about trying to persuade boards of directors that they need to be involved (in health and safety). You do have a personal responsibility, but secondly you have to be measuring health and safety at a strategic level, and you do need to get someone providing you with that information in the right form."