Association of Colleges

AOC organise a national Health & Safety Conference each year.

This year’s conference took place on 16 June at the Leicester Marriott Hotel.

After registration, delegates gathered together in the conference hall where the chair, Martin Pritchett, Estates Manager for the Association of Colleges, welcomed them and spoke about the importance of Health & Safety to a modern college.

Martin introduced Stephen Green, Health & Safety Consultant to AoC who gave an overview of key issues that have arisen over the last 12 months. Steve detailed AoC Health & Safety activities since the 2009 Conference, including representing members on various committees and “hot topics” from the H&S helpline.

The next speaker was Nick Gadfield HMI, National Safeguarding Adviser for Ofsted. Nick detailed how Ofsted inspects, with particular regard to Safeguarding arrangements.
 
Nick was followed to the podium by Tim Briggs, Vice President, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health for RoSPA, who spoke about  the challenges facing Health & Safety practitioners in FE. Following his presentation, Tim then joined Steve Smith, H&S Manager of sponsors, JTL in presenting awards to two of the successful H&S Champion Colleges, Bradford College and New College, Nottingham.

After the morning interval the next speaker was Peter Smith, of Status Training Services Ltd who spoke about the new powers to search for drugs, weapons, alcohol and stolen property.

Then followed a legal update by Paul Verrico, Solicitor-Advocate for Eversheds LLP. Paul spoke about "Large Fines, Reasonable Practicability and Defending Prosecutions - A Lawyer’s View of Health and Safety Enforcement This Year"

The subsequent activity was a choice of Workshop Sessions. Delegates were able to choose to take part in two workshops from a choice of four, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Workshop A. was “Health & Safety Audit Toolkit for FE Colleges” presented by Ian Rowe, Phil Mackie and Patrick Robinson, College H&S managers and Partners of RRM Safety Solutions.

The second was “Creating a Healthier Work Experience”, a joint presentation by Jill Joyce and Mary Ogungbeje, of IOSH.

Workshop C. was “HSE Long Latency Disease Programme". This workshop was led by Louise Rice, Health and Safety Executive

The fourth workshop, led by Crispin Kenyon, Partner, Vizards Wyeth Solicitors, was “Work Placements and the Role for Assessors – The Risk of Your Assessment”

Lunch was then served, giving delegates an opportunity to visit the display stands and do some valuable networking.

The afternoon began with an Explosive and Hazardous Materials Workshop, delivered by Bill Meath of DENIOS. This was a lively, action-packed session!

This was followed by a repeat of the morning workshops, allowing delegates to take in a second topic of interest.

After a break for refreshments, everybody then returned to the main hall to hear Gavin Chalmers and Gareth Ellis, of Zurich Insurance, speak about “Insurance Claims - Lessons Learnt”

Following Gavin and GAreth was Martin Guest, of ADT Fire and Security who spoke about Fire Related Issues, particularly the impact of new technology such as digital systems.
 
The final presentation was "Anti-Terrorism - Operation Argus". Paul Donleavy, of NaCTSO, the National Counter Terrorism and Security Office described the progress of Operation Argus (a simulation exercise, based at a fictional College, which will be issued, free of charge, in late 2010). Taking part in an Argus training events will allow Colleges to discuss possible modes of terrorist attack and how best to respond tho them.

Following a short Question & Answer Session, the Conference was brought to a close by Martin Pritchett, the Chair, who thanked not only the speakers and workshop leaders but also the delegates for their valuable contributions. Of course, things are never quiet on the Health & Safety front and there are bound to be important developments over the next 12 months.

Finally, our thanks go to Amanda of AoC’s Management Services who organised the day. We look forward to meeting again at the 2011 Conference.

Full details of the programme etc are available here: National H&S Conference 2010

For a flavour of past Events:

AoC National Health & Safety Conference 2009  took place on 18 June. 
The conference was held at the Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire, a contemporary hotel located in the heart of the Midlands.
The full programme can be viewed here:  Nat Conf 2009 Programme
 

Delegate feedback:

"Thanks for another exceptional Conference last week."

  

"I found the conference very interesting and worthwhile."

 

2008 Champion Award

 

Champion Award being presented by Martin Jones (of sponsors JTL) and David Gartside (Board member, Health & Safety Executive) to Tim Robbins of Cornwall College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Champion Award being presented by Martin Jones (of sponsors JTL) and David Gartside (Board member, Health & Safety Executive) to Richard Thomas of Gloucestershire College