Distinguished service award for Health and Safety Commissioner

C006:07 25 May 2007

The Health and Safety Commissioner, Professor Sayeed Khan received a distinguished service award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) Awards Gala Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel last night.

The ROSPA annual awards scheme, which has been running for over 50 years, recognised the commitments and contributions Professor Sayeed Khan has made through his work in health and safety. On receiving the award Professor Khan said "I'm delighted to receive this award from RoSPA which recognises the importance of workplace health and safety. Our achievements reflect the efforts of all stakeholders in preventing workplace accidents and raising the benchmark for occupational health and safety performance. We've come along way in recent years in ensuring healthier and safer workplaces. However, we cannot be complacent and employers, employees, HSE, bodies as RoSPA and other stakeholders need to continue this important work to achieve our goal of a healthy and safe workforce".

Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, hearing of Professor Khan's RoSPA award said "The distinguished service award made by RoSPA to Professor Khan reflects his contribution to the promotion of health and well-being in the workplace over the previous fifteen years. Sayeed's work with business, medical and health and safety stakeholders to drive the necessary improvements in workplace health and a reduction in associated days lost has been key to promoting and winning support for the health work and well being agenda."

Sayeed continues to play a key role in his work as an HSC Commissioner, as a member of Department for Work and Pensions' Stakeholder Councils for Health, Work and Well-being and Workplace Health Connect.

In his role as Chief Medical Adviser for EEF Professor Khan protects and promotes workplace health in order to achieve successful and sustainable business performance and employee well-being for member companies. His role with EEF includes engagement with Government, professional bodies, business, trade unions, specilaist health and safety organisations and practitioners on the occupational health and well-being agenda.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive and local government are the enforcing authorities who work in support of the Commission.
2. HSE protects workforce in Great Britain against risks to health and safety arising out of work activities; to conduct and sponsor research; promote training; provide an information and advisory service; and submit proposals for new or revised regulations and approved codes of practice.
3. RoSPA is a registered charity with a board of fifteen trustees. The president of the board is Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen.
4. RoSPA is a provider of information, advice, resources and training in the promotion of safety in all areas of life. This includes work, in school, at home, on the roads, at leisure and using areas of water. It has campaigned vigorously on a number of safety issues in recent years e.g. using mobile phones while driving.
5. Professor Khan was appointed to the Health and Safety Commission in April 2005.

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