Ron’s career has been very much rooted in fire safety, beginning in 1972 when he began serving as an aircraft firefighter with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. In 1977, Ron joined the London Fire Brigade, where he spent 17 years, serving at Mill Hill, Tottenham and Stoke Newington fire stations. During this time, he attended a number of notable incidents, including the Kings Cross underground fire in 1987 and the Marchioness disaster on the Thames in 1989. After receiving a serious injury in 1994, Ron retired from the Fire Brigade, having attained the rank of Sub Officer. Ron then joined the NHS as a fire safety adviser and began to study for a professional health and safety qualification; he was awarded the Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health in 1999. He is a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) and of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM). He is married and lives in East Sussex.
Commenting on behalf of PLASA, managing director Matthew Griffiths said: "PLASA aims to provide real, practical services to its membership, and Ron’s appointment is an important step in that direction. His expertise will go a long way towards addressing a whole range of requirements identified by our members. Health and safety has become, quite rightly, a major area of responsibility for company management, and we want to help PLASA members cope with that responsibility. We are very pleased to have Ron on board, and we look forward to our members benefiting from having Ron available at the end of a phone line."
Ron comments: "It’s an exciting prospect to work with PLASA members who undertake such a huge range of unusual projects within this industry. I’m looking forward to being able to assist them with health and safety queries, and help to ensure that their personnel are able to carry out their work as safely as possible."
Ron’s expertise in health and safety issues will also provide a valuable complement to the service already provided by the PLASA Standards Office, as standards manager Tim Cox explains: "This new position was created following recognition that both safety and health are important subjects for PLASA Members. Until now, we have not had sufficient expertise or resources to offer expert advice, but a dedicated member of staff will allow us to add to the services that we offer members."
Initially, Ron will be able to offer specialized support and advice covering all aspects of health and safety legislation, for both the UK and the European Union. Ron also plans to build a database of international health and safety issues and solutions, with a view to offering a comprehensive information resource for the PLASA membership worldwide, and would therefore also welcome discussion on international health and safety issues in relevant areas where it is felt that PLASA could play a useful role.
(Lee Baldock)
