Distinguished Service Award for Sir Bill Callaghan

C012:07 15th August 2007

The Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), Sir Bill Callaghan has today received a Distinguished Service Award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in recognition, for his outstanding contribution to health and safety management at work.

Sir Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA Chief Executive

The RoSPA annual awards scheme has been running for over 50 years and acknowledges the commitments and contributions Sir Bill Callaghan has made to health and safety in the workplace, including his involvement in refocusing the efforts of the Health and Safety Executive and its partners to reduce work-related injuries and ill health.

On receiving the award, Sir Bill Callaghan said, 'I am thrilled to receive this award and delighted that our achievements on health and safety in the workplace have been recognised. Although, this award reflects the efforts made by all stakeholders, it is important to continue to raise awareness of the importance of 'sensible safety' in the workplace and raise the standards for occupational health.'

Sir Bill Callaghan has played a leading role in ensuring and managing health and safety in the workplace. He was instrumental in driving forward the 'Revitalising Health and Safety' initiative, key dimensions of which included director leadership of health and safety, workforce involvement, performance improvement targets and the creation of HSE priority topics. He also championed the development and implementation of HSC's strategy to 2010 and beyond, which has led to a strengthening of HSE's partnership with local authorities and a reinvigoration of HSE's occupational health agenda, integrating this with the Government's plans to improve health, work and well-being.

Prior to taking up appointment as HSC Chair, Sir 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.

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. Sir Bill Callaghan will be stepping down as Chair from the HSC on the 30th September 2007 after eight years of service.

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