We’ve been asking soon-to-be-chartered members about their lives, careers, and what chartered status means to them. This month incoming and outgoing presidents Neil Budworth and Lawrence Waterman (pictured) spill the beans.
Name: Neil Budworth
Age: 40
Occupation: Health and safety manager, Severn Trent Water (currently on secondment to Biffa Waste Services)
Why did you join IOSH?
Like many others, I initially joined for the magazine and to get reduced examination fees (yes, it was that long ago!) But, relatively quickly, I realised that more was on offer and I started to attend my branch and to get involved.
What does chartered status mean to you?
It means the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people to whom I am personally profoundly grateful. It also means that finally we, as a profession, have been given the recognition we deserve. I am very proud of our new chartered status.
What is the worst mistake you have made during your career?
Saying yes to too many things. There has to be some balance in life.
If you weren’t in health and safety, what would you do?
I’m a bit like a piece of Blackpool rock, with health and safety through the middle. I trained as a chemist, so I would probably still be working in chemistry.
Name: Lawrence Waterman
Age: 54
Occupation: Chairman of Sypol Ltd, one of the UK’s largest independent health and safety consultancies; project director for the occupational health pilot scheme, Constructing Better Health.
Why did you join IOSH?
Because it is THE membership organisation for professional health and safety advisors. When I was a young and aspiring person at BA in the early 1980s, joining IOSH as soon as I was qualified was a ‘no brainer’.
What difference do you think chartered practitioners will make to the world of work?
The confusion about who to turn to for advice can be set aside. Chartered status will focus attention on quality, competent advisors and the help they can provide their organisations.
What do you feel is the current hot issue relevant to your sector?
Getting to grips with occupational health and making it a part of day-to-day health and safety management.
What one piece of jargon would you ban?
‘You can’t do that without a proper risk assessment.’ It should be: ‘Since you want to do that, can I help you check out if there are any aspects that will need careful handling, to see if we can prevent anyone having an accident or being hurt?’
