Supporting the safety industry

HSM talks to the BSIF’s new chief executive David Lummis about his recent
appointment and how he plans to lead the BSIF into a new era

With over 30 years experience within the safety
industry, a proven track record for successfully
running and growing businesses and a previous role
as director of BSIF Enterprises David Lummis is already a
familiar face within the BSIF. HSM asks how the industry has
developed since his early days?
“One of the most noticeable
changes within the industry and
indeed to business as a whole is
the implementation of
technology. 30 years ago there
were no e mails or faxes –
unimaginable now as we stare
continually at computer screens –
even on the move!
“Although the Health and
Safety at Work Act had been
introduced (1974), over the years
technological advances in
electronics, safety equipment and
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) have changed occupational
safety. Style and design are a
much greater influences now. If
we look back safety spectacles
used to look like old NHS frames!
Improved material technologies
have had a huge influence in
protecting workers from occupational hazards. These include
better fire resistant garments, cut resistance yarns and scratch
resistant Polycarbonate. The focus on comfort has led to weight
reductions and better design such as low breathing resistance
RPE, ensuring those needing PPE are more likely to use it and
keep wearing it to ensure their safety. Most importantly there is
now much better safety engineering to remove the hazards from
the work environment in the first place.

“Over this period of time slowly the number of reported
injuries and fatalities has dropped and I am pleased to be part of
such an important industry which really can make a difference.

However, as recent HSE statistics show, there is some headway to
be made and I look forward to helping to continue to drive a
positive change ensuring that those at work are adequately
protected from any risks they may encounter and therefore stay
safe.”
Health & safety has received a lot of negative press recently but
David hopes this won’t overshadow some of the industries
significant achievements: “We should not forget that the safety
industry in the UK has a great deal to be proud of,” he stresses.

“Our occupational safety injury statistics show fewer people are
being killed or harmed here than in any other country – an
excellent accomplishment and the efforts of the BSIF and its
members have played a strong part in this achievement.”
As readers will have seen in these pages, the BSIF has raised
the profile of several occupational hazards and helped develop
initiatives to overcome them. These have included ‘It’s in your
hands’ tackling workplace dermatitis; ‘Fit2Fit’ which led to the
development of the BSIF Fit2Fit Fit Test Providers Accreditation
Scheme – in collaboration with the HSE and other industry
stakeholders; and most recently ‘Clean Air? Take Care!” designed
to dramatically increase awareness of occupational respiratory
diseases and ways in which they can be prevented.

David believes the BSIF is now well positioned to significantly
build on these successes: “The BSIF
has, over the past 15 years, built a
very strong foundation for the
future,” he explains. “Geoff Hooke’s
efforts have ensured we have a trade
federation that is highly respected,
that can speak with an authoritative
voice and can offer its members
collective representation in areas
which will affect them, i.e. standards,
legislation, enforcement. Upon this
we now need to develop additional
services and make sure we are seen
as a supportive, helpful and open
organisation and that all
stakeholders within the safety
industry can talk to and get simple,
straightforward answers that help to
meet their needs.”
David suggests there will be a
focus on a number of areas. For
example; enhanced communication
systems (including the launch of a new website); the
development of more campaigns like the ‘It’s in your hands’ and
‘Clean Air? Take Care?’ initiatives both of which David says
educated the market; offer enhanced exporter assistance (and
hopefully UKT&I funding); work closely with HSE, the
Environment Agency and other industry stakeholders to gain
synergies with their activities; finally, ensure the Registered Safety
Supplier scheme is universally recognised as a quality mark when
sourcing safety goods and services.

The safety industry going forwards
“The overall world trading environment is changing and the UK
is undoubtedly influenced and involved in the change process,”
notes David. “The new UK politics are altering the dynamics of
the market; discouraging centralised government spending but
encouraging industrial performance. We need to be certain our
industry is organised and assisted to maximise the advantages
and minimise the negatives.

“As the only trade body representing the supply side of the
health, safety and environmental protection industry, we are able
to provide a public service role offering independent advice and
information, funded directly by the industry itself. One of the
BSIF’s key functions is to represent the industry to government
and other influential parties, building a stronger, more helpful
trade federation to ensure the safety industry is heard and gets
the support it needs,” concludes
David.