NEWS IN BRIEF...
December 1st 2008 No increase in BSIF Membership Fees
The BSIF is acutely aware of the credit crunch and the effects that it will have on members’ businesses. Whilst there is a likelihood that health and safety practices will be maintained there is a definite possibility that the downsizing of customer workforces will reduce the volumes of safety product and equipment over the next year or so.
Like many sensible organisations, the BSIF has an inflation-linked escalator, which would have increased fees by eight percent in January next. The Federation Council has acted quickly to ignore the escalator and 2009 membership fees will be maintained at 2008 levels. Unlike the government, the BSIF balance sheet is sound and there will be no need to claw this back in the future. The BSIF Council were keen to point out that the full programme of activities, investments and developments scheduled for 2009 will continue as the Federation seeks to bring added value to its members.
Self-regulation of Safety Consultants
The BSIF is pleased that the Select Committee has raised the matter of regulation for safety professionals and that the Minister has responded positively. The Federation has been promoting the development of a nationally accepted self-regulatory scheme for safety professionals for some time now and will take an active role in seeking to assist this development.
"We believe that any such scheme should be based on an independent audit of performance" said a BSIF spokesman, "We are seriously concerned about the possible use of 'once and for all' qualifications. The Health & Safety National Occupational Standards are distinctly lacking in references to competence and are based solely on "knowledge and understanding" without any reference to any measurement of the ability to perform. The BSIF will strive to persuade others that competence criteria must be performance driven"
The BSIF believes whatever model scheme is created, there will be the need for some form of independent governance for it to attract national acceptance. "We have a preference for an EN 17024 scheme accredited by UKAS" said the BSIF "But whatever system is eventually selected, it is important that it is governed nationally and independent of individual stakeholders".
BSIF 2009 Innovation Awards
The BSIF has just launched its 2009 Innovation Awards. Similar to past years, there are three award schemes and all feature several levels of achievement. The traditional BSIF Safety Product Awards will recognise creativity and innovation in the development of new safety products and services. The BSIF Safety Service Awards, based on an industry evaluated performance of safety suppliers against a broad-based set of demanding, customer facing, criteria recognises those who are the "best" providers of products and services. The BSIF Safety Excellence Awards, new last year, recognise and celebrate companies, products, services and consultancy impacts which have contributed to significant improvements in the health and safety performances within client companies. [Additional information can be obtained from the BSIF - please see the contact panel] More articles from BSIF Enterprise: | 
