Q&A with Anthony Tetlow, winner of the inaugural Innovation in Safety – Small Business Award

Anthony Tetlow, Chartered Member of IOSH and Managing Director of Safety Smart Risk Management Consultants won the award for the development of what is believed to be the world’s first industry-specific health and safety application for the iPhone, iPad and iTouch platforms. The aim of the application was to simplify health and safety for employees working in a hairdressing salon.
 

(left to right) Judith Donovan CBE, IOSH President Steve Granger, Anthony Tetlow - winner of the award

1. How did you feel when you won the competition?
I was, and still am, extremely proud. To receive the inaugural Innovation in Safety – Small Business Award is the highlight of my health and safety career so far.

2. Has winning the competition helped your career or business?
Winning the competition has really helped my consultancy, Safety Smart Ltd. It has reinforced our reputation amongst existing clients and helped to reassure prospective clients.

We are currently in negotiation with Keoghs, a national legal practice over offering a health and safety service to their clients who have had a serious accident or incident and are facing legal action. Winning the award not only helped my confidence at the interview stages but also provided further tangible evidence of our credentials. I believe the award along with chartered membership of IOSH and membership of the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register really helps in reassuring clients of our competence and dedication to health and safety best practice.

3. How did you benefit from the publicity you received from IOSH?
The publicity was fantastic and we are still benefiting from it. We received excellent exposure from IOSH and the HSE which in turn brought us further work.

I would like to add that the service I received from IOSH was first class. Everything promised as part of the prize was carried out in a very professional way and we are very grateful.

4. What did you spend your £1,000 on?
We have invested the money in developing a new product. An interactive way of managing health and safety which we are very excited about and believe could change the way we manage, communicate and address health and safety issues.

5. How else have you benefited from winning the competition?
I feel I have benefitted in many ways, but the following really spring to mind! The two days spent at the IOSH conference were fantastic, I learnt a lot and met some fantastic people. As part of the conference you were able to access the slides/handouts for all the speakers, I have accessed these on many occasion and they continue to help me greatly. It has given us the confidence and determination to carry on with our aim – to simplify health and safety for all. Also, potential new members of staff have approached us, thereby saving Safety Smart money on costly recruitment, and old colleagues got in touch to offer their congratulations.

Finally, I would like to offer my best wishes to anyone who is entering this year, I am sure there will be a worthy winner.

Watch Anthony receive his award at the IOSH 2011 Conference and Exhibition.