From the Secretary's desk

We are now looking forward to working with David Lummis, our new CEO, who took post in September. While the BSIF is strong and has developed well over recent years, there is little doubt that a fresh approach and the initiatives he will generate will enhance the BSIF's position as a key stakeholder in the UK safety industry.

With the French Exposition taking place in a few months time and the Dubai Safety & Health trade exhibition being staged early in the new year, the BSIF is currently concentrating on the provision of exporting support for the UK safety industry.

As forward planning is essential, it is also not too early to consider the 2011 programme, which will include a BSIF led outward trade mission to Saudi Arabia in February and an inward mission to enable British manufacturers to promote their products at the “meet the buyer” event being planned to take place at the Safety & Health Expo next May. In addition, further opportunities to expand trading in Germany will be presented at the A+A exhibition next autumn. Readers interested in gaining government supported funding should contact BSIF Enterprises for further information.

The BSIF's focus on respiratory protection continues as the 'Clean Air? Take Care!' campaign gathers momentum and plans to implement the HSE's Disease Reduction Programme take shape. The BSIF is closely engaged with this latter and is actively involved in assisting the development of effective delivery mechanisms that will capitalise on the ability of its members to provide effective, wide ranging communication with employers and users of RPE.

Currently, the BSIF is working with a network of safety industry institutions and the HSE on options for a voluntary accreditation scheme for safety consultants. This network aims to set up a scheme that will help raise the standard of safety advice being given by consultants to employers and make it easier for those who need to use external safety advice to find consultants in whom they can have confidence. This is a cause promoted by the BSIF for many years now and we anticipate that further information on the format of the scheme and how it will be run to be available later this year.
If you wish to comment or find our more about any of the items within these BSIF pages, please contact us, through the Editor please.

Geoff Hooke
Secretary General to the BSIF