Conference celebrates IOSH volunteers

11 November 2010

They came from across the UK and from as far afield as the Caribbean and Hong Kong. And their backgrounds ranged from rural industries and waste management to railways and aviation.

Networks Conference 2010, on November 8 and 9, was again a showcase for the variety and depth of expertise among IOSH members as around 150 representatives – nominated to attend by their branch, group, district or section committees – met at the Marriott Hotel, in Leicester.

The two-day event was for delegates to share best practice and network, as well as celebrate the hard work, achievements and successes of the IOSH Networks over the past year.

Day one saw updates from Chief Executive Rob Strange and Networks and International Director Sarah Hamilton on IOSH’s core strategic priorities and the restructured networks and international team, respectively.

It was a particularly upbeat message from Rob, who told delegates: “Health and safety do not stand still. The last few weeks have shown us that. But with a membership like ours, IOSH will remain ahead of the field – setting the agenda, speaking out for health and safety, and most importantly of all, working hard to protect people at work.”

Policy and Technical Director Richard Jones briefed delegates on Lord Young and the Young Enterprise Scheme before a best practice roundtable discussion and presentations on networks and e-communications.

Then day two brought collaborative workshops, an update on developments in the health and safety profession from professional affairs director Hazel Harvey, and a chance for delegates to quiz the senior management team.

The presidential baton passed from John Holden to Steve Granger at the annual general meeting, before the annual dinner and speeches.

And John told guests: “I want to start by saying a big thank-you to our branches and groups in the UK and overseas who gave me a tremendous welcome when I visited them. Thank you to the many Past Presidents of the Institution, who rang me, e-mailed me or just spoke to me when I bumped into them for the encouragement they gave me. I would also like to say thank to all staff at The Grange, we all know what a great job they do but without them I would have had a difficult, if not impossible, year.”

Steve Granger chose tunes from his favourite Gerry Anderson shows – Thunderbirds, Joe 90 and Stingray – as soundtrack for a speech that mapped out his aims for the next 12 months as President.

He used the address to announce a new annual poster competition to provide a showcase for VIPs, international visitors and non-safety people, such as corporate executives, the legal professions and IOSH’s partners.

The new President told diners he would be taking an interest in ethical supply processes in both national and international markets.

 “Any spread into a global economy should be matched with our determination to ensure that it is the ‘safety culture’ that presides over an ideology or boundary,” he said.

And Steve said he would look at the opportunity of donating more in the way of disaster management expertise, helping agencies to deliver immediate aid.

So what did delegates think of Networks Conference 2010? 

Lawrence Bamber, North Wales Branch Vice-Chairman and past President, said: “It’s an excellent opportunity to share best practice. It’s about mixing people from different networks. It’s good because we are all health and safety professionals but we don’t always have the same slant on doing things.”

Marvin Owen, Midlands West District Chairman, said: “I have found that the more I put into IOSH the more I get out of it. I think this is a fantastic opportunity for networking. A lot of the branches here are doing some really good things.”

And Ian Waldram, Group Management Committee Trustee and member of the Offshore Group Committee, said: “I think it’s a great opportunity for people who have only seem some of IOSH to see the bigger picture and exchange experiences with people in the same situation.”

Networks Conference was a chance for members to get things off their chest and raise real concerns about IOSH and the way it is run – and they took it, raising concerns with senior management on issues such as micro-websites, policy and membership.

The title of this year’s conference was ‘One team, one goal’ and Chris Marsh, Hazardous Industries Group Chairman, said: “I would like to see a crystalisation of the network fraternity moving forward, with a clearly-defined vision and common purpose. If we are going to have ‘one team, one goal’, what is that goal? Let’s be clear about the vision and what it means to our membership.”

But there was agreement among delegates and members of staff at the Marriott on one issue: IOSH could not exist without its volunteers.

South Coast Branch Chairwoman Helen Woodvine said: “By having volunteers, and allowing branches and districts to function, you have actually then created a sense of ownership and purpose in membership. It builds the self-esteem of members and it furthers their enthusiasm for the job.”