Prison staff pass with pride

Staff at HMP Wandsworth recently completed and passed the IOSH Managing safely course and were presented with their certificates by governor, Dave Taylor.

The prison is a Victorian structure, built in 1851, and with 1655 inmates it houses the highest prison population in western Europe. It is classed as a local (category B) prison, taking inmates from local courts and other jails, and constantly receiving, transferring and discharging them. €ﾨ€ﾨ

The prison sees more than 800 hundred staff, contractors and visitors entering on a daily basis, so managing health and safety is be a priority, says H&S advisor, Philip Burge. The building is continuously being renovated and inmates are trained in trades that will be useful on their release. €ﾨ€ﾨOver the years, HMP Wandsworth has had eight members of staff trained to NEBOSH General Certificate standard. All senior management board members have completed the IOSH for Senior Executives course, which is delivered by Keith Sillitoe, from the Ministry of Justice Corporate Health & Safety Branch.

Since June 2009, 35 members of middle management and potential managers have passed the IOSH Managing safely course. The course is delivered by John Carwardine, HMPS trainer. €ﾨ

Adds Philip Burge: “Over the months, management may move on, they may transfer, leave the service, or retire but what they all know is that managing health and safety is fundamental in ensuring any business is successful, and that all management have a duty to look after the welfare of their workforce. Gaining recognised qualifications in health and safety certainly focuses the mind.”