Institution of Occupational Safety and Health IOSH Health and Safety Symposium 2014
Our MD Bryan Hindle spent the day at the annual IOSH event this week (8th September).
Of course he came back with his head full of new ideas and plans to make life safer, healthier and somewhat busier for the rest of the Brick-Tie team.
A full day dedicated to health, safety and welfare may sound like torture for many, but Bryan loves this stuff (yes ? really).
“It was great” says Bryan. “Eight presentations on all sorts, including Work Related Stress, The Ageing workforce, Legal developments and an interactive debate on fatal accidents. Brilliant!”
Well Bryan would say that of course. He’s mad – and also ageing. But it is great to know that our boss really does take the health, safety and welfare of us all very seriously.
Checking his notes taken on the day, these are his spider-like scrawls which leap out:|
Construction Health and safety “Very good at the top end” Kevin Myers (HSE ? CEO)
A 2×2 infogram on the balance between ‘Awareness, Unaware – Commitment and apathy’ Kevin Myers (see blog for more details soon).
“Zero harm can be counter productive – tracking down more and more trivial things” (paraphrased ? Kevin Myers)
Chinese attitude to risk = Danger + opportunity: Kevin Myers.
“Absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence” Sayeed Khan (Chief Medical Adviser EEF), referring to the emergence of new potential hazards in rare earth metals used in production such as Vanadium, Niobium and Molybdenum.
50% of employees do not have a single day’s absenteeism each year? Sayeed Khan
Presenteeism – Those at work but not engaged due to; poor motivation, poor training, inadequate pay, poor conditions – or -can’t be arsed?. Sayeed Khan
40% of Absenteeism is stress related. Chris Gill (QBE)
Getting a grip on stress is not just a compliance issue? and Use Hatton V Sutherland as a guide: Chris Gill.
Over 5% of all cancers are caused by work related hazards: Prof John Cherrie (Institute of occupational medicine).
The top ten carcinogens employees are exposed to cause 85% of work related cancers – so let’s focus on them: John Cherrie
Asbestos? Shift Work? Mineral oils? Solar radiation? Silica dust and diesel exhausts are the most harmful: John Cherrie.
There are three levels of listening? Michael Emery (Securus Health and Safety Ltd)
Coaching is a non-directive form of development, where the coach – using highly developed listening skills and by asking insightful questions – pulls ideas, suggestions and plans from the coached: Michael Emery
Age is a poor predictor of performance? Tanya Heasman (System Concepts).
Corporate manslaughter prosecutions are still, generally against smaller SME?s: Steffan Groch (DWF LLP)
In 2012 about 1700 company Directors were banned as a result of prosecution: Steffan Groch.
Focus is on those who ought to know better – Directors – so take R V Southern Water as a guide The judge wants to know from the Director, what he did,not from the lawyers: Steffan Groch.
Document – Document – Document! Yes really, it’s that important: Steffan Groch.
Over the next few weeks our health and safety management and organisation will be tweaked and our team will be tasked with some more work, designed to ensure that as far as we can, all team members and our clients stay healthy, safe and live on…… to be part of the Ageing workforce
