Our Branch Roots
HISTORY OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE BRANCH
Prior to the adoption of its present name our Institution was
known as the Institution of Industrial Safety Officers
(IISO). The Scottish Branch of this Institution consisted
of approximately 250 members spread throughout Scotland. Meetings
were held in Glasgow but the distribution of members was such that
an afternoon meeting was difficult or not possible for many members
working or staying some distance away from Glasgow. As might be
expected therefore most of the attending members came from the
west.
Mr Brian Allan, who supplied the present information, instigated
the foundation of an East of Scotland District of the Scottish
Branch of the Institution of Industrial Safety Officers which was
to eventually become the Edinburgh Branch of the Institution of
Occupational Safety and Health. Recognising his own need and the
need of others on the Eastern side of the country to make regular
contact with fellow professionals in order to share and exchange
views with those in other fields and industries he subsequently
contacted the Institution's headquarters in Leicester and obtained
a listing of Scottish Branch members who lived in Perthshire,
Central Scotland, Fife, Lothians and the Borders.
About 80 members together with members of local Occupational
Safety and Health groups, some of whom were active in these latter
groups, were invited to a meeting in Edinburgh to sound out support
for the formation of an East of Scotland section of the
Institution. Mr Edward Hooper, who was then President of the
Institution of Industrial Safety Officers, addressed a gathering of
about 45 persons, in an Edinburgh hotel, and the enthusiasm shown
resulted in the formation, in 1980, of what was initially termed a
District and which later, in 1988, became the Edinburgh Branch of
the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health as we have it
today, the first meeting being held on the 8th September 1988. To view as a summary of
the first meeting of the proposed East of Scotland District. on the
5th March 1980 click here.
This information was taken from a Millenium booklet previously
presented by our branch Chair ,1996 to 2000 Kevin Lloyd.
Today the Edinburgh branch represents over 950
members and includes a district, Forth and Tay to help in providing
additional meeting locations for members, due to the large
geographical area covered.
In March
2009 the branch celebrated its 200th meeting and
20th anniversary, receiving acknowledgement and
congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen.
In 2010 the branch and district continue to provide venues for
regular, stimulating and enjoyable events, in the company of like
minded individuals,and from October 2010, members
will also benefit from an informative and new look branch and
district websites.