Raising profile and influence
Media and public relations
Over the past couple of years, IOSH has worked hard to raise its
profile in the media. This has led to numerous opportunities
for committee members to contribute to TV, radio, newspaper and
magazine coverage. We need to look for more opportunities to
comment on or correct articles in the local media. We'd like to ask
members to draw to the attention of branch, district or
section committee members any article which they feel
we should respond to. There are criteria which the
committees have to take into account when responding to media
stories, but the more we're aware of, the more we can respond
to.
Of course raising profile and influence is more than just
dealing with the media. We need to do this with our own members,
businesses and anyone affected by poor health and safety management
in the workplace.
Links with other branches
We've already made progress on this, with a recent
seminar at Walsall held jointly with the Midland Branch. Last
year we ran a media course for committee members jointly with
the Merseyside Branch. We're exploring opportunities for similar
links with other neighbouring branches (Yorkshire, West of
Scotland and North Wales).
Branch conference
With the support of Districts and the Public Services Section, a
successful conference could be run by the branch. We
could also co-host a conference in partnership with
neighbouring branches.
SMEs and micro-businesses
We can probably do more to encourage SMEs and micro-businesses
to control hazards. We've alreay run one successful
event, which should be repeated. This is something that,
again, could be run in partnership with other organisations such as
Chambers of Commerce or the HSE.
Website
The branch webpages are available for non-members to
view, and they should be designed to provide useful
information and lead interested parties to other sources of help
and assistance.
Trade unions and trade union safety representatives
Many trade union officials and safety representatives are
members of IOSH. They play a valuable and often vital role in
health and safety in the workplace and we should work towards
stronger connections with them.
The Health and Safety Executive
Although communication and consultation with the HSE takes
place centrally through IOSH Groups and other committees, and
in some of the Districts, we should make more effort involve
local HSE inspectors in the branch.
Breakfast meetings
This could be tied in with several of the previous sections,
such as conferences, meetings and SMEs and micro-businesses.
We could also try holding occasional meetings early in the
morning to give more members the chance to attend.