Knighthood for the Chair of Health and Safety Commission

C008:07 20 June

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are delighted to congratulate Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, following the announcement by Her Majesty the Queen of her intention to confer a Knighthood on him for his services to health and safety.

Commenting on this welcome recognition of Bill Callaghan's achievements Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the HSE, today said, "Bill's outstanding achievement and service to health and safety has been accentuated during his eight years as HSC Chair. He has played a leading role in raising awareness of the importance of ensuring that risks to the health and safety of workers are properly controlled and forging partnerships between HSE and employers, trade unions and other stakeholders to reduce ill-health, injury and days lost in the workplace.

"Bill has championed the sensible risk message and has steered the organisation closer to realising its long term vision to see health and safety as a cornerstone of a civilised society and, with that, to achieve a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world. "

Commenting on the occasion Sir Bill Callaghan said, "I was thrilled and delighted to be given this honour. I hope that I have made a difference over the last 8 years to improving health and safety in the workplace, by setting a clear strategic direction, by promoting the cause of sensible health and safety, by encouraging a partnership approach and by promoting the good work done by HSE staff. The improvements in health and safety over the last 8 years are not, of course, just down to me but also to the enormous contribution of the staff in HSE and Local Authorities, my fellow Commissioners and all those involved in managing health and safety in the workplace. I am grateful for all their support and commitment."

Prior to taking up appointment as HSC Chair, Bill Callaghan was the Chief Economist and Head of the Economic and Social Affairs Department at the TUC. He served on the Low Pay Commission from 1997 - 2000 and played a key role in the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in April 1999. He has also served as a Magistrate on the Kingston-upon-Thames bench since 2005.

Notes to editors

1. Bill Callaghan's appointment as Chair of the Health and Safety Commission commenced on 1 October 1999
2. This year's Birthday Honours List reflects and pays tribute to outstanding achievement and service right across the community and the nation as a whole.
3. As in previous lists a key aim has been to reward those who work and serve at the sharp end - people who have really changed things, or who have given outstanding service to others in difficult situations.
4. The HSC has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulations in Great Britain. The Commission consists of 10 people nominated by bodies with an interest in workplace health and safety. They are sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP minister for occupational health and safety is Lord McKenzie of Luton.
5. The HSE and Local Authorities are the enforcing authorities that work in support of the Commission.

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