IOSH 09 attracted more delegates and visitors than ever before, and the IOSH stand was buzzing over the two days.
This year, the stand was decorated with the winning entries from the ‘This is My Life’ photography competition, which made it really eye-catching. There were lots of people on hand to answer a whole host of your burning questions, and you could also hear from speakers both on the IOSH stand and in the two spotlight theatres.
IOSH president, Nattasha Freeman, was there early on the Tuesday morning to meet and greet members, and there was a presentation about online CPD from Mandip Pabial-Parmar, CPD manager, and Fiona Gelling, CPD courses officer. Staff from the Membership department were on hand to help answer queries about how to join, rejoin, and to progress though the membership structure.
Many of the leading health and safety organisations, including 3M, Barbour, Croner, EEF, HSE, Norwich Union Risk Services, and RoSPA were exhibiting. If it was training you were after, the IOSH Commercial Affairs team was showcasing Managing safely and Working Safely, while key accounts manager Stefan Spencer gave a presentation on how IOSH passport cards can benefit you.
You could also find out about IOSH’s free range of technical tools. Senior policy and technical advisor, Jill Joyce, was demonstrating the new Risk Assessment Routefinder, while Mary Ogungbeje, research and technical advisor, was on hand to talk about development fund opportunities available. If you simply had to get back in touch with the office, there was also a free ‘Internet zone’ for you to use.
IOSH also launched a new book, Do the right thing — the practical jargon-free guide to corporate social responsibility. Authors Stephen Asbury and Richard Ball gave a presentation on why CSR is becoming a significant area for business, and why health and safety professionals need to know about it. This was followed by a book-signing session. There was also the opportunity to get a 15-per-cent discount off all IOSH books, and to buy the new range of IOSH merchandise, which included cuff links and IOSH mugs.
Over on the ‘IOSH Networks stand’, Peter Williams, Merseyside’s branch chair, and Gerard Hand, Groups management committee chair, were among the presenters in the ‘Speakers’ corner’. The winners of the Safety Sciences Group student research competition — Andrew Wood and Clive Cronk — had their entries on display, and were presented with their certificates.
Day One drew to a close with a networking reception, hosted by the HSE, where delegates could relax after a hard day over canapés, while listening to the soothing music of Jade Gallagher.
