Jun 11 - Institution Of Occupational Safety And Health To Continue In Gibraltar
Despite concerns for its closure, the Gibraltar branch for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health will remain open.
IOSH is the world's largest professional health and safety membership organisation and its pilot scheme has been established in Gibraltar since 2012.
Following a number of recent changes within the IOSH, the local branch had been led to believe that the pilot scheme for the Associate Branch of IOSH in Gibraltar would close. Neil Costa, the Minister for Health and Safety, was concerned at the loss of the Associate Branch of this important institution in Gibraltar, wrote to its President enquiring as to the reasons for their withdrawal and further requested a reconsideration of their decision.
The President of IOSH, Ian Harper, has now assured the Minister that there are no plans to close the Gibraltar Branch and, that furthermore, IOSH is committed in its desire to continue providing support for its members in Gibraltar.
Minister Costa, said: “This is excellent news for all health and safety professionals accredited with this chartered body, which sets and develops professional standards and supports and connects its members with resources, guidance, events and training.
“The Government is fully committed to continue its support of Gibraltar’s associate branch, which plays an important role in relation to developing a good health and safety culture for Gibraltar and benchmarking the IOSH Codes of Conduct as a standard for Gibraltar.”
The Chairman of the Gibraltar Branch, Richard Labrador MBE said: “This is very welcoming news for all current and aspiring health and safety professionals in Gibraltar. IOSH is an established and recognised organization, which are the only chartered body for health and safety professionals and are the benchmark for health and safety worldwide.
“On a personal note, the news is gratifying, particularly, as I been associated with Health and Safety for many years and in 2004, together with other local Health and Safety Practitioners, formed the Occupational Safety and Health Group to which IOSH awarded the roup an ‘Affiliated to IOSH’ status.
“In 2012, IOSH agreed to introduce a new level ‘Associate Branch’ and Gibraltar was made the first Associate Branch. I am very proud to have been involved in the evolution of the local branch to its current status within the IOSH organisation.”
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