1 July 2010

For the first time HSE has published a separate plan for activities in Scotland, available on the HSE website.

Whilst the headline priorities are common throughout Great Britain, the document is specifically tailored to take account of challenges presented by Scotland's different mix of workplace hazards and population distribution, different legal system and devolved responsibilities that impact workplace health and safety.

The section on Building competence (pp 22-23) is likely to be of particular interest to IOSH members - perhaps for what it doesn't say as much as for what it does.

24 June 2010

The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives in partnership with IOSH are running an IOSH "Proactive Interventions on Occupational Health" course.

It will take place in central Scotland on 18 19 August 2010. There will be approximately 12 places available on this 2 day course.

For further information please go to the Health Scotland website.

The minutes of the Edinburgh Branch meeting of 8 April 2010 are available for download below.

April minutes (139kb)

The minutes of the Edinburgh Branch meeting of 11 March 2010 are available for download below.

March minutes (1433KB)

An overview of last year's hugely successful event, news of a chance to see AKT at IOSH 10 and exciting plans for May.

05 March 2010

On the 23 June last year at Cumbernauld Theatre, the West of Scotland Branch of IOSH and CECA, the association representing civil engineering employers, were joined with workers from businesses across the Central Belt of Scotland for a thought-provoking workshop - “Terminal”.  Raising awareness of the types of behaviours and attitudes that lead to an increased risk of unsafe choices and accidents at work, the workshop focused on how to prevent poor attitudes and behaviours by making safer choices and showing personal leadership.

“Terminal” was delivered by AKT Productions, who are based in London, and facilitated by Sue Briggs of AKT.  Sue brought her team of actors onto the stage at Cumbernauld Theatre, using drama to re-enact a serious and truly horrific incident that actually did happen.  An incident in which there had been missed opportunities by those involved to intervene and prevent what was a tragic true-life accident.

In terms of seeking to change and improve the “human factors” that cause accidents, one of the most difficult attitudes to counteract is the “it will never happen to me”.  However, with “education”, through this type of re-enacted drama, you at least have a chance to see that not only could it easily happen to you but you can do something about it! 

Through various role-playing scenarios portrayed by the acting team, employees observe attitudes they may have been guilty of themselves, whilst going through the emotional impact associated with the consequences of an accident.  You do not get quite that same emotional impact at traditional training and educational courses: - so this really is a unique way to hit home the health & safety message. 

With the advantage of objectivity, everyone in the audience can see the impact of messages being portrayed, both verbal and non-verbal, by the attitudes and choices being made on the stage, prior to the accident that is about to happen.

In between the actor’s role playing, psychologist Sue Briggs is a superb Facilitator leading a thought provoking discussion with a high level of interaction with the audience.

It is the rich mixture of people in the audience, similar to the workplace environment, which makes for lively, interesting and sometimes challenging discussions and sharing of opinions.  The event at Cumbernauld last year included employees from various disciplines, all levels of management and supervision, directors and health & safety professionals.

Here are some of the comments received following last year’s event;

"The event worked well to generate discussion from the operatives, managers and health & safety professionals who made up the varied audience”

"Educational – I was very impressed”

"I thought that was the best event I have ever attended”

“Brought six men from foreman, labourer, machine operator etc. and to a man they all thought it was superb”

"Well presented and great acting with a bit of humour too!"

In total 396 people attended two workshops, delivered morning & afternoon, last June at Cumbernauld Theatre.  Analysis of appraisals revealed that 95% rated the event as good, very good or excellent and 97% would recommend it to others.

If you missed the AKT productions - don't worry - there's a chance to catch a show at IOSH 10.

 IOSH Scotland have arranged for AKT Productions to demonstrate their unique and innovative style of training at the IOSH 2010 Conference in Glasgow; - at the SECC on 24^th and 25^th March 2010.

AKT Productions will be performing at the “Networks Theatre” within the exhibition area at 09.00am on Wednesday 24^th March, and 12.00pm on Thursday 25^th March 2010.  .  This area is free to attend and registration for the event is possible through the conference website.

The Network Theatre is all about sharing best practice, offering educational content with discussion and networking, held immediately after the production in the “Networks Lounge”, adjacent to the “Networks Theatre”.

At the Theatre, Sue Briggs and her team will be performing “Think Again” which is a high impact 30 minute behaviour safety production.  Based on the Texas Oil Refinery Disaster, “Think Again” was commissioned by Balfour Beatty as part of a Safety Leadership programme and has received rave reviews from persons who have seen the event.

Representing IOSH Scotland Branches on the IOSH 2010 Conference, Sue Briggs, Andy Powrie and her team from AKT productions will be performing “Think Again” which is something not to be missed!

Where to next?

IOSH Scotland Branches, representing all IOSH Branches and Districts in Scotland, wanted to see “Terminal” reaching out pan Scotland in 2010.  So too did the Board of CECA (Scotland). 

Commenting, Alan Watt, Chief Executive of CECA (Scotland) said: “It is certainly an innovative way to get the health & safety message across and one that proved highly entertaining and successful.”  

It is a true saying that “success breeds success”, and so many more people in Scotland are now set to see AKT Productions in action.

There will be five “Terminals” reaching out to a much wider audience in May 2010.  Details coming soon...

Article by;

Alan Kirkwood CMIOSH, AIEMA
QSE Manager George Leslie Limited
Chairman IOSH West of Scotland Branch
Chairman IOSH Scotland Branches

The opinions expressed in Branch or Group articles, presentations and other documents, posted on this website are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Where the content includes discussion and information about UK law or occupational health matters, this should not be regarded as legal or medical advice. Where legal advice is required, a suitably qualified lawyer should be consulted. Where medical advice is required, a suitably qualified medical practitioner should be consulted.

Save as set out in these terms of use, IOSH, to the fullest extent permitted by law, excludes all warranties, conditions and implied terms, including the warranty of non-infringement of third parties' rights.

The minutes of the Edinburgh Branch meeting of 11 February 2010 are available for download below.

February minutes (203KB)

Members might be interested in the IOSH guide Working Well - promoting health and well-being at work if they have not already seen a copy.

HSE Scotland e-Bulletin Issue 2 has recently been distributed.

Set up a monthly subscription to make sure you receive all e-Bulletins from the HSE in Scotland.

British Occupational Hygiene Society are running a series of 1-day seminars linked with HSE’s new asbestos survey guidance HSG264 and will feature in Glasgow on 03 March.

This series of joint BOHS/ATaC seminars is aimed at building surveyors, asbestos accredited inspection bodies and clients who want to find out more about the new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on asbestos.

HSE has reviewed its 'MDHS 100' guidance on asbestos surveying, which describes Type 1,2 and 3 surveys and this document will be replaced in January with 'Managing Asbestos in Premises, the Survey Guide', which will describe management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys.

The HSE estimates that there are between half a million and a million non-domestic properties which still contain asbestos, and there will be an increasing requirement for the more invasive refurbishment/demolition surveys which are particularly demanding.

'Managing Asbestos in Premises, the Survey Guide' will therefore place far greater emphasis on competency.

Each seminar will provide a packed, informative, and full day programme with expert speakers from a wide range of organisations.

Full details from the BOHS website.

The ‘Health risks at work’ tool for SMEs provides a real opportunity for OSH practitioners throughout Scotland to become involved in improving the health of workers and reducing exposure to conditions that cause or exacerbate work-related ill health. The tool includes a DVD and written guidance designed to help smaller organisations identify common workplace health risks and take steps to protect workers and the future of the business.

You can support the initiative by registering as a Champion and supporting smaller organisations, or by promoting the tool to groups or organisations whose membership could become Champions. Both activities provide opportunities for your personal CPD.

Champions receive a separate Champions pack and can help by:

• identifying smaller organisations that may benefit from support and assistance.  These organisations may be in your supply chain, the same business sector or known to you in other ways
• demonstrating the tool to these organisations, to raise their awareness
• offering mentoring and support to help organisations through the process of identifying and managing health risks in their workplace
• referring organisations to others who can offer this mentoring and support
• speaking about the tool at events or putting the working group in touch with event organisers to spread the message of Health Risks at Work.

Register as a Champion or find out more about Health Risks at Work by visiting the website.

To arrange for a speaker to attend an event, explain the initiative and recruit Champions, contact contact Robert Atkinson at the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives on +44 (0)1698 208193 or email.

The minutes of the Edinburgh Branch meeting of 14 January 2010 are available for download below.

January minutes (148KB)

The minutes of the Edinburgh Branch meeting of 10 December 2009 are available for download below.

December minutes (107KB)

20 January 2010

We're currently planning our various events, visits and programme and need your help!

We'd love to hear from our members with suggestions for:

• topics you'd like to see in 2010 /2011 programme
• suggestions for a June site visit

If you have any ideas, please email them direct to Helen Pearson in the next few weeks.

RoSPA have published a Policy Document recommending improvements sought by RoSPA to be incorporated at the design and specification of both new and refurbished homes in Scotland. Download a copy of "Can the Home Ever be Safe? The need to improve safety in the built environment of homes and gardens." Prepared by RoSPA's Home Safety Department in Scotland,  in association with Home Safety Scotland and the Electrical Safety Council. PDF format. Published 2008.

Karen McDonnell, formerly Chair of the Forth and Tay District represents Occupational Health and Safety Professionals in Scotland in the HSE's PHASS (Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland).

This award was instituted to celebrate the 200th meeting of the Branch which took place on 12 March 2009. Entries can be made at any time until 7 April 2010 with the presentation taking place at the AGM in May 2010.

The award consists of a glass trophy which is kept for one year and a glass paperweight as a permament memento, along with a year's IOSH membership subscription.

The trophy was gifted by Andrew Sharman, CFIOSH, former Branch Chair

Entry is open to all Edinburgh Branch members of all grades.

Download the conditions

Download the application form