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News release

13 October 2011 - NR 50/11

Local student scoops award

A 44-year-old health and safety student was awarded for his commitment to the industry at a ceremony in London.

Steve Andrews from Pyrford, Surrey, was commended for his research into the business benefits of accident reporting in the workplace, by the London Metropolitan Branch of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

As well as an award for his research, Steve bagged a £100 cash prize from the Institution at the IOSH London Metropolitan Branch student award presentations this week.

The research entitled ‘Is active reporting of near misses a future indication of having a lost time accident?’ was conducted by Steve as part of his MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management at Brunel University. While the research found no clear correlation between reporting near misses in the workplace and a reduction in accidents, it did highlight a need for accident near misses to be reported more frequently, in order for businesses to become more efficient.

Mature student Steve said: “I am delighted to have picked up the award from the IOSH London Met Branch for my research.

“Health and safety was not my chosen vocation in life, but I seem to have fallen into it and developed a passion for it – it gives me satisfaction to think I am helping to save lives and reduce accidents in the workplace.

“Often, health and safety is ridiculed in the media and to some extent in the real world. But, without health and safety regulations in place, where would we be now? Businesses need to realise the benefits that ‘good’ health and safety can bring and I hope my research goes someway to highlighting this.”

Paul Williams, chair of IOSH’s London Metropolitan Branch, said: “Occupational health and safety is extremely important and investing in health and safety can save businesses thousands of pounds each year. Recognising the research conducted into the field is really important to enable the health and safety profession to continue to grow.

“Steve’s research shows initiative and has been commended for its common sense approach to ‘good’ business health and safety strategy.”

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.