Service to health and safety honoured
02 October 2009
A professional whose work helps save lives and reduce work-related ill health and injuries has been honoured by RoSPA.
Richard Ash, the Engineering Construction Industry Association's (ECIA) safety and health adviser, has had his efforts recognised by the presentation of the safety charity's Distinguished Service Award.
Richard Ash (centre) picking up his RoSPA Distinguished Service Award from RoSPA vice-president Lord Brougham and Vaux (left) and RoSPA chief executive Tom Mullarkey (left)
RoSPA Distinguished Service Awards are reserved for individuals who make exceptional contributions to society through their work in health and safety.
Richard has been working to protect the wellbeing of workers for more than 25 years, starting as a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector. His time with the HSE was marked by the formulation and implementation of various guidance and initiatives, including the development of COSHH regulations, which deal with the control of substances hazardous to health.
In his current role with the ECIA, Richard has been similarly responsible for initiating guidance, and he has also worked hard to make sure the industry's voice is heard at a national level.
His measures, including developing guidelines on the safety of foreign workers and securing occupational health and safety's place as important in negotiations between trades unions and employers, have helped the industry sustain a positive safety record.
The hallmarks of Richard's work include a thoughtful, well-reasoned and hands-on approach which is sustained by regular visits to workplaces to ensure he stays in touch with realities on the ground.
His willingness to work with others has won him the respect of colleagues in the engineering construction industry, as well as in the HSE and trades unions, and from the ECIA's member companies.
Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA chief executive, said: "Those who deserve our recognition and respect should be honoured, and RoSPA Distinguished Service Awards are a wonderful way of doing so.
"Richard Ash is indeed worthy of such esteem. He is an excellent example of a professional whose dedication has benefitted workers by helping to prevent the misery associated with easily-preventable work-related accidents and ill health."
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