Association of Colleges

National Health & Safety Conference 2006 Report

You are here:


Summary of the 2006 event.

delegates Delegates

The AoC National Health & Safety Conference 2006 took place at the Hinckley Island Hotel Leicestershire on 16th June.

The Conference strapline “Delivering Effective Solutions” alluded to the fact that effective H&S management integrates with all other College functions. An understanding of the overlap and interdependence of H&S with disability, personnel, estates and wider risk management issues is, therefore, essential.

AoC’s aim for this conference were to provide a valuable overview of recent, important Health & Safety developments, together with an insight into national and AoC-led current initiatives.

The programme was designed to be topical and included keynote speakers from the Learning & Skills Council, Health & Safety Executive and a range of specialist areas.

The AoC Conference Executives for the event were Rachel Bedford and Matt Fassnidge who managed the whole day, commencing with greeting the 160 attendees.

rachel_matt Rachel B and Matt F welcoming delegates

Once everyone had assembled in the London Suite the Conference Chair, Martin Pritchett, Estates Network Manager for the Association of Colleges, formally welcomed delegates and began proceedings with some opening remarks, stressing the interface between H&S and other College functions, particularly Estates.




Martin Pritchett, Estates Network Manager
martin_pritchett
Martin first introduced Stephen Green, Health & Safety Consultant, Association of Colleges, who summarised Developments in College Health & Safety
Steve Green

The next topic was The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order: The New Fire Regulations and You! presented by Tim Britton, Health & Safety Consultant for AA Projects Ltd.

tim_britton Tim Britton

 The impact of the new legislation is something that is taxing many Colleges and there was a lively debate following Tim's presentation.





Tim was followed at the podium by Paul McCormack, Senior Policy Advisor for the Health and Safety Executive who updated the audience on HSE's work Implementing the Stress Management Standards in FE.
Paul McCormack

paul_mccormack


Following the tea and coffee break, which gave delegates their first opportunity to visit the Exhibition stands, Richard Sewell, Risk Control Consultant, AON Limited, spoke about The Relationship between Good Risk Management and Insurance.

Richard Sewell

richard_sewell



















Next, the delegates split into five groups to attend the first of their selected workshop sessions. There were five workshop options:

  • Good Governance in Health & Safety with Neil Molyneux, Leadership Skills for Governance Consultant, Association of Colleges
  • BE SAFE quiz - a new tool to encourage interest in health and safety, led by Di Rickard, LSC Regional Health & Safety Manager, East Midlands.
  • Pandemic Flu/Contingency Planning, presented jointly by Steve Robinson, FE Policy Advisor, Department for Education and Skills and Dr. Peter Acheson, Specialist Registrar in Public Health, Health Protection Agency.
  • DSE Assessment, led by Jo Greenwell, Head of Public Services, Abilitynet and David Traish, Head of Employment Services, Abilitynet.
  • Safe Management of College Trips, led by Mike Trueman, Operations Director, World Challenge Expeditions.
Lunch followed, with the exhibitors. Then the second round of workshops took place

After the workshops, delegates reassembled for the first plenary presentation of the afternoon, entitled LSC Approach to Promoting Learner Health & Safety.

Marilyn MacFarlane

marilyn

This was delivered by Marilyn MacFarlane, National Health & Safety Manager, Learning & Skills Council.

Following Marilyn was Leonie Nowland, Head of Return to Work Services, ICAS who spoke about the issue of Rehabilitation.

Leonie Nowland
leonie_nowland



















After a tea and coffee break with the exhibitors, the final presentation, on Employment and Discrimination Law – Interface with Health & Safety, was delivered by David Faulkner, Partner, Martineau Johnson Solicitors.


David Faulkner

  david_faulkner


Following a brief Q&A session, Martin drew proceedings to a close, thanked delegates and speakers and wished everybody a safe journey home.

Initial feedback has been very positive and we look forward to an even more successful 2007 event.
Please note that some of the presentations are available to member Colleges, but may be copyrighted. If you wish to use the material in any way, please contact rachel_bedford@aoc.co.uk who will put you in touch with the authors.