Posted By Frank Hallett Excellent idea Richard. Can you get the support for it there? If you wish to contact me direct, I can suggest a couple of possible supporters. Frank Hallett

Posted By Dave Wilson I would support this and Richard would get my vote to be the first Chair!

Posted By Rob Strange To keep interested members in the picture - we have very good relationships with the SIA and also with IFAP (Western Australia); IOSH was a founding member of the International Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (INSHPO)and both the SIA and IFAP have also now joined; both organisations are being officially represented at the forthcoming IOSH Conference/Exhibition, in Docklands, as our VIP guests. Indeed, on the Friday before Conference the President of the SIA is visiting The Grange for discussions and I will sound him out about their attitude to the formation of an IOSH branch at some time in Australia. We also know that IFAP, in WA, are forming a Chapter of the ASSE (American) so there is clearly interest, and complex realtionships, to take into account! IOSH already has, of course, three international branches (Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland and now the Caribbean), with the first two operating as "traditional" branches that meet together and the Caribbean operating more as a "virtual" branch with electronic communications and conferences. Rob Strange IOSH CE

Posted By AlB I regularly delve into the SIA website and forums and I have attained a great deal of information from the source. I don't necessarily believe that there should be an Australasian branch of IOSH, but a close working and networking relationship between IOSH and the SIA (and their members) be promoted.

Posted By IT I so want to respond differently to this ,but won't The SIA is the Peak Body in Health and Safety in Australia. I believe there is a MOU for membership recognition between both IOSH and the SIA that already exsists.

Posted By Richard Spencer In response – I was a member of the SIA. I chose not to continue the relationship because I believed IOSH although not represented in Australia was for me at least – professionally more viable. Secondly, it is important to keep up to date with the events and trends that occur in large anthropological centres such as the EU, which the UK is a member. The SAI represents a smaller number of practicing safety professionals and in essence does not appear to have the same financial resources that IOSH does. The SAI seems to struggle with members and financial support and whilst I have the utmost respect for those that support and operate the SAI, I chose to join IOSH. The SAI HQ is located in Victoria with braches in most other states. As a result members and activities seem to be difficult. Serious consideration should be given to SAI become a branch of the much larger organization and be known as IOSH Australian Branch (much the same way as IMarEST). There would be enormous benefits for all concerned and open up SAI to an international marketplace, in much the same way as QSA did when it associated itself with the American organization Registration Accreditation Board (US) and became RABQSA. ? Dave Thanks for your support but I am sure there are others much more worthy. Richard

Posted By IT As a member of the SIA and obviously working in Australia ,you would be aware that there is not so much a focus on what organisation you are a member of ,but your application and competentcy. your overview of the disjointed approach by the SIA (NOT SAI) is interesting though an opinion or fact ,almost similar view I have of another organisation I know. As the Victorian State President is a friend ,I am sure he would be very interested as would the members in the views of this forum on whether SIA should be another IOSH chapter. You could always give the colonials pink ties as well

Posted By IT Peter, I at no stage viewed your position any differently than you intended and I thank you for your clarification. I have advised the SIA Council of the existence of this thread. I would encourage continuation of membership of IOSH in Australia for those that chose to do so, not at the expenses of an Established Organisation that already represents its membership. On a final note Australasia is NOT a part of the EU and due to geographical location will never be part of the EU, having access to an international career is one thing honoring existing agreements between like minded organisations is yet another.

Posted By Jacoba Slee I have been reading the thread of this forum discussion and found it most interesting. As a Fellow of SIA and CFIOSH, I have a foot in both camps. The SIA IS the Professional Organisation in Australia and IOSH has very strong links with it and the Members thereof. Closer links are ever sought and to this end the discussions with Phil Lovelock at IOSH will be to move towards more wider areas of common groud for the benifit of both organisations. An affiliation of IOSH with SIA could be one of the areas to explore. SIA and its involvement with TAFE and Universities is to be commended and IOSH have a great deal to learn from this. Our Presidents theme for young people focus is one area which can be developed on both sides of the globe. I will be at Safety in Action in May and be pleased to meet face to face with any Members who wish to move in a positive direction. John Lacey (Past President).