Our Organisation
Objectives
To link together the constituent Safety Groups
To circulate programmes and activities of member groups to the other member groups
To increase the efficiency of the area groups by pooling information and creating a source where advice and assistance shall be available to member groups on request
To organise the annual Conference and Exhibition
To promote Conferences, Seminars and Exhibitions and any other appropriate initiatives to further the cause of Occupational Health and Safety within the region
To maintain close working links with HSE, Local Authorities, Emergency Services, Environmental Agency, etc.
Executive Committee
President
W E J Greville
Chairman
Mike Sagar (East Lancashire)
E-mail: mike.sagar@nwra.org.uk
Vice Chairman
Mark Burns (Lancashire)
E-mail: mark.burns@nwra.org.uk
Secretary/Reservations Officer
Eddie Miles
E-mail: eddie.miles@nwra.org.uk
Treasurer
Martin Fishwick (South Cumbria)
E-mail: martin.fishwick@nwra.org.uk
Exhibitions Officer
Mike Nixon (Manchester)
E-mail: mike.nixon@nwra.org.uk
Committee
Charles Tracey
E-mail: charles.tracey@nwra.org.uk
E-mail: mike.kershaw@nwra.org.uk
Alan Howarth
John Edmonds
Association History
We are indebted to Eddie Miles for providing the following information:
Previous Chairmanship
1989 - 1992 C Tracey Lancashire
1992 - 1993 B Holt Cumbria
1993 - 1994 J King Lancashire
1994 - 1995 T K Williams Merseyside
1995 - 1997 W E J Greville Lancashire
1997 - 1998 M Sagar East Lancashire
1998 - 1999 B Wilkinson Manchester
1999 - 2001 B Baines NE/NW Wales
2001 - 2003 M Burns Lancashire
2003 - 2005 M Sagar East Lancashire
2005 - 2006 M Nixon Manchester
2006 - 2008 M Kershaw Merseyside
2008 - 2010 M Sagar East Lancashire
The valuable contribution made by those who served as Chairman and whose names and dates of office are not recorded is also acknowledged.
Brief History
The Association came about as a result of the work and wishes of key players in Health and Safety in Lancashire during the late 1950's. It is apparent that Mr Bill Hanley was the chief moving force behind the formation of the NWA and played a leading role in its running until his death. Members of the Preston and District Industrial Accident and Prevention Group (now LOHSG - the Lancashire Occupational Health and Safety Group) played an important role in its formation.
Conferences (later supplemented by an Exhibition and expanded to a 2 day event) have been held in October every year since at the following venues:
1959 - 1966 Floral Hall, Morecambe
1967 - 1968 Fleetwood
1969 - 1984 Pembroke Halls, Salford
1985 - 1986 King Georges Hall, Blackburn
1987 - 1988 The Crest, Runcorn
1989 - 2009 Barton Grange Hotel, Barton, Preston
From a newspaper cutting in 1958 the Preston Group launched a "vigorous attack" against the prevalence of accidents and injury in local works and factories. Sir George Barnett, Chief Inspector of Health and Safety for the country agreed to give a review of the field of accident prevention at a group event held at the Harris College, Preston In October 1958 - particular emphasis was given to attracting small firms including those employing less than 25 people.
The second Association Conference was held on the 6th October 1959 at which a draft constitution was approved and adopted.
At the formation of the North West Association (NWA) a management committee was set up and a further Conference planned for the following year. A study course (the first of several that included residential courses for apprentices) was also arranged at Alston Hall, Longridge.
This group meeting was an important occasion that attracted and brought together members from safety groups throughout Lancashire and it is likely that its success engendered the thought of running a similar annual event that would attract top national speakers and receive support from safety groups and their members throughout the North West of England. Retrospectively the event at the Harris College can be considered as the first Conference of the North West Association.
Key Personnel involved with the Association activities:
Bill was the Director of the HSE's North West Area based in Preston. In this position, and since in his semi retirement, he has actively sought to build links with the local safety groups and facilitate co-operation with the HSE in the provision of speakers, advice and expertise relating to the Associations work.
Over many years Bill has been a member of the Executive, acted as its Chairman, and served a key role in conference planning. He was appointed President of the Association in 1999 and currently retains this position.
1985 – 2002 Secretary and Conference Organiser
William Handley MBE
Bill was the chief influence in the founding of the NWA in1958. He was Safety Officer for Leyland Birmingham Rubber Co, Chairman of LOHSG 1964-1970 of which he became President in 1976. He received an MBE in 1969 for his work in Accident Prevention.
1958 - 1972 Association Secretary
1972 - ~1985 Controller of the Association
Frank Riddell DSA (RoSPA)
Frank was the Chief Safety Officer for WMP Ltd which later became the Reed Paper Group to which he was appointed Senior Safety Engineer. Frank has spent 40 years working for the Association mainly in his retirement.
1970 - 1985 Secretary and Conference Organiser
1985 - 2000 Treasurer and Exhibition Organiser
2000 Appointed Governor of the Association
2000 - 2007 Governor, Treasurer and Exhibition Organiser
Harry Banks MBE
Harry was a Production Engineer with British Aerospace and apart from his association position was President of the Lancashire Occupational Health and Safety Group in succession to Bill Handley. Harry devoted his years in retirement to advancing health and safety mainly working for the association and LOHSG. He received an MBE for his work in accident prevention.
1967 - 1970 Representative for Manchester Group
Anecdotes
It is of interest to note some of the points made by Sir George Barnett (who had been the Factory Inspector for Preston 25 years earlier) in his 1958 review. He said that the Government had done almost all they could in the way of regulations to cut down accidents and that it was now up to work people themselves to take up the baton. He particularly urged the representatives of the more than 150 firms attending to train and encourage their young employees interest in Health and Safety. He reported that 60,000 people were off work each day with industrial accidents and that nationally 20 million man days were lost each year
Looking at the programme for the 1982 Conference it is noted that only speakers are listed - no themes or topics. This is interesting and reflects the fact that delegates need and enthusiasm was such that they were prepared to come and listen to experts talk on safety matters irrespective of their content knowing it would be of value to them
Another observation is that 50 years ago people were even then emphasising the need to reach small firms and to focus on training young people
Frank Riddell reports that when the H & S Conference and Exhibition was held in Morecambe it was on the pier. Exhibitors stands etc. had to be off loaded at the start of the pier and manhandled to the end. He also reports that delegates in the hall had the pleasure of being able to look down through the flooring planks at the sea below whilst listening to the speakers
At the 1967 Conference there was a presentation on Industrial Injuries by an A & E Doctor from Preston. The slides were so gory and dramatic that a number of delegates walked out and the proceedings were stopped. After due consideration it was decided that although the presentation was quite disturbing it was nevertheless most instructive and should continue