From the Secretary’s desk
December 1st 2007 Unlike previous years when December seemed to herald a distinct end-of-term atmosphere, the run-up to this year’s Festive season, sees the BSIF highly focused and closely involved in a wider range of schemes and projects than is usual. Talking to our members, this seems to reflect a more intense level of commercial activity, serious intent and energy across the safety industry as a whole this year.
The BSIF's Annual General Meeting saw the election of Fergal Morris (3M) and the re-election of David Holdham (Centurion Safety Products), Alistair Trivett (BSI) and Hugo Watts (Kimberly Clark) as Directors of the BSIF who now join the other elected Directors and Association nominees on the BSIF's Federation Council.
Held at Lords Cricket Ground, the AGM was followed by a Directors Club luncheon at which a lively and open discussion on rogue products has now generated the need for a wider awareness of how to identify protective equipment which may not ‘do what it says on the tin’. The PPE Expert Group at the EU Commission (Member States and EU Institutions) met recently in Brussels with the BSIF present as part of the UK delegation, as were members of the group responsible for enforcement.
This meeting has highlighted a number of adjustments to the ways in which the PPE Directive will be interpreted in the future and while these are yet to be finalised, the BSIF has been educated to the fact that failure to take a position in the formative stages almost prohibits a later intercession, often resulting in indistinct or misleading regulations - the BSIF is taking this very seriously.
Couple the above with the organisation and management of the UK delegations to two overseas exhibitions, the imminent publication of the 2008 BSIF Members Handbook and the generation of three new BSIF - HSE initiatives following the success of the ongoing ‘It's in your hands’ campaign to reduce industrial dermatitis, it is unlikely that any our BSIF personnel will be twiddling their thumbs over the next few months.
The BSIF wishes all its members, friends and readers a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. If you wish to comment on any of the issues mentioned within our BSIF pages or share information on any health and safety issues affecting you or your organisation, please do not hesitate to contact us - through the Editor please.
Geoff Hooke
Secretary General, BSIF More articles from British Safety Industry Federation: | 
