The British Safety Council
50 Years of promoting best practice
1957 British Safety Council established by James Tye
Following the first meeting of the British Safety Council at 1 Suffolk Street, SW1, the constitution is considered and adopted. The primary object for which the Association is established is to educate… in particular in the use and measures, methods and precautions for safety of life and limb and the prevention of accidents and injuries and industrial diseases and for the increase of productivity resulting therefrom…
Members are invited to join the BSC in order to promote safety in the workplace.
A lease is taken out on the first head office premises at 60 Westbourne Grove, W2.
1958 BSC launches the Annual Industrial Safety Awards
An award scheme to encourage employers to adopt and promote safe working practices within the workplace. In addition, the BSC publishes the World Directory of Safety Equipment Manufacturers.
1960 National Fire Prevention Week and Safety Times launched
A major campaign is run by the BSC involving 2,000,000 primary and secondary school children taking part in an essay competition, distribution of 100,000 posters and television coverage on the major networks. The first edition of Safety Times (the forerunner of the current BSC publication Safety Management) is published and distributed to Factory Inspectors.
1961 Lord Baden-Powell appointed Chairman
In addition to the appointment of the new Chairman, the BSC introduces:
- Foremen's training courses
- The British Safety Belt Club
- The Industrial Noise Conference
- The Car Safety Belt Conference
1962 Demonstration of Flame Resistant Garments at the House of Commons
70 letters of support are received from MPs following the demonstration.
1963 The Industrial Safety Conference
380 people attend the conference and comment favourably on both the organisation and the programme.
1964 New Premises for the BSC
In line with the growth of the organisation, the BSC moves into new premises at 163/173 Praed Street, W2. The new property includes accommodation for the delivery of training courses.
170 recipients attend the Safety Awards presentation at the House of Commons.
The 5,000th foreman completes a BSC training course.
Launch of the young persons' safety course (see Entry Level Award below).
1966 New Publications and a Date with 007
The BSC produces publications on Fireworks Safety, Dangerous Tyres and, with the co-operation of United Artists, a James Bond feature poster reading '007 is Paid to take Risks ? You Are Not'.
The technical department is now responding to between 50 and 100 enquiries a week.
1967 Launch of the Master Drivers' Club and new Training Programmes
The BSC broadens its training provision with the introduction of courses for supervisors and safety officers.
1969 First aid courses gain momentum
BSC first aid courses are positively received by delegates.
1970 Membership numbers break the 9,000 mark
In March 1970, the BSC membership base reaches 9,529.
1971 BSC opens a National Safety Centre in Hammersmith and makes the safety reform case to the Robens Committee
The BSC moves into its third home at 62-64 Chancellors Road, W6.
The BSC makes the safety law reform case to the Robens Committee (see Our History)
1972 Robens Report published
BSC says that it 'signposts a road that the government, employers and unions have simply got to go down'. Lord Robens sets out his proposals in the Council's Safety and Rescue magazine.
The BSC launches the Diploma in Safety Management and presents the first Safety Performance Citations.
1973 A date at the House of Commons
The first Diplomas in Safety Management are presented at the House of Commons.
1974 Open Letter from the Director General regarding the HSWA 1974
James Tye writes an open letter to Michael Foot, Secretary of State for Employment in the new Labour Government, urging the early passage of the Health and Safety at Work Bill.
Lord Robens launches the training ship St. Katherine, the BSC's floating training centre on the Thames. A public appeal helps to raise the £100,000 needed for the new facility.
The BSC gains its 15,000th member.
The Health and Safety at Work Bill becomes law at last. The HSWA enshrines most of the recommendations made in the 1972 Robens Report. The BSC hails the Act as 'the most important single piece of safety legislation ever passed in Britain'.
1975 The tenth year of the BSC's 'Miss Beautiful Eyes'
The BSC competition aimed at promoting eye safety in Britain's workplaces reaches its tenth year.
BSC founder James Tye launches the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.
Death of Frank Love, the BSC's Secretary and Financial Director. He had been closely associated with the Council since its inception.
1976 The BSC and RoSPA host Worldsafe
An international safety conference and exhibition at Birmingham's NEC.
US Activist and politician Ralph Nader is the guest speaker.
The Safety Council launches a 24-hour hotline for health and safety whistleblowers.
The BSC runs a competition to find the UK's most safety conscious young worker.
1977 The British Safety Council celebrates its 20th anniversary
Messages of congratulation are received from government ministers, safety pioneer Lord Robens and opposition leader Margaret Thatcher. Tye forecasts that the next 20 years will see the BSC expand its overseas courses and services.
The St. Lucy joins the St. Katherine as the BSC?s second training ship.
The BSC now has 23,000 members and is running 380 training courses a year, from Abrasive Wheels to Slinging.
1978 The BSC launches the Sword of Honour
A new award is introduced to acknowledge the UK's top twenty safest companies.
The BSC celebrates its 21st birthday with a campaign to persuade members to donate 21,000 pints of blood.
1980 A visit by Lord Robens
Lord Robens expresses his admiration for the work being carried out by the BSC during a visit to training programmes aboard the St. Katherine.
The BSC takes over Kensington Town Hall; over 350 children (and Rolf Harris) take part in the BSC's 'Painting a Safer World' competition.
1981 The BSC pioneers flexible learning solutions
In response to requests from members, the BSC launches weekend defensive driving programmes.
1982 The BSC teams up with Radio Luxembourg and seat belts are finally made compulsory
Legislation is passed marking the successful conclusion of a 25 year campaign by the BSC.
The BSC and Radio Luxembourg link up to run a hard-hitting campaign to reduce accidents at work.
The BSC launches the 'Britain's Brightest Workplace' competition to help raise workers' morale and productivity.
The BSC starts delivering approved first aid courses on the St. Katherine training ship.
1983 Overseas organisations invited to apply for Sword of Honour
The Sword of Honour is opened up to overseas organisations. Winners include entrants from India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
The BSC produces the first risk management training video in Europe.
1984 The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management is granted a coat of arms
1985 Ex world champion features on defensive driver campaign
Jackie Stewart features on a poster campaign organised by the BSC to promote defensive driving.
Launched 12 years earlier to encourage good safety practice overseas, 1,000 candidates have now completed the International Diploma.
After 25 years, the BSC's newspaper, Safety and Fire News, is re-launched as a colour magazine.
The first issue of 'Safety and Risk Management' finds the BSC news team in India, reporting on the aftermath of the Bhopal chemical disaster.
Still going strong: the 20th annual Miss Beautiful Eyes competition sees 20-year-old Karen Williams crowned onboard the BSC training ship St. Katherine.
1986 BSC floating training centre hosts the final group of delegates
The BSC training ship St.Katherine, the London training venue in St. Katherine's dock, is put up for sale.
1988 BSC delivers the first International Diploma course outside the UK
20 delegates attend the first overseas Diploma course.
The Director General is appointed to the Executive Board of the Smoking Policy Institute in Seattle.
1990 Back pain is the topic
A report on the problems associated with back pain and the need to exercise to build a strong back is sent to MPs.
1991 BSC moves into its current London headquarters by cutting the world?s largest safety belt
In November 1991, the BSC celebrates its move into new accommodation at 70 Chancellors Road, W6 by inviting Baroness Phillips of Fulham to cut the world's largest safety belt.
1992 BSC re-launches International Diploma in Safety Management in London
In response to considerable interest from overseas delegates, the BSC re-launches its London based qualification programme. Over 20 candidates study the 10 week programme.
1993 BSC launches 'safety attitude' guides
A series of new guides in A5 format are launched to assist with tool box talks and general awareness of health and safety issues.
1995 BSC broadens its outlook to include Health, Stress and Noise issues
In response to the call for further information on health related issues, the BSC launches programmes covering specific topics of interest.
The Director General becomes the first European to be included in the American Safety and Health Hall of Fame.
1996 First Director General of the BSC passes away
James Tye the founder and first Director General of the BSC dies on Sunday 21 July. A service of remembrance is held in Southwark Cathedral.
The BSC goes 'Green', to coincide with the establishment of the Environment Agency and launches the Diploma in Environmental Management.
1997 Sir Neville Purvis KCB takes up the reins as Director General
Following a distinguished career in the Royal Navy which culminated in holding the historic title of Fourth Sea Lord and responsibility for the material support of the whole of the Royal Navy, Sir Neville is Knighted in 1992 and retires in 1994 after more than 40 years' military service. Sir Neville joins the British Standards Institution as the Chief Executive in 1994 and in January 1997 Sir Neville is appointed Director General of the British Safety Council.
The BSC opens the London Training Centre in Chiswick as a centre of excellence for health, safety and environmental learning in the capital. The centre offers eight training rooms, syndicate rooms and a comfortable dining area for delegates.
1998 BSC launches a research fellowship at the Judge Institute
To celebrate the work of James Tye and to promote continuing research into health and safety issues, the BSC launches a research fellowship at the Judge Institute, Cambridge University.
1999 The BSC establishes a full time International Division
Following a steady increase in the amount of overseas work carried out by the BSC, a full time division of International country managers is established to pro-actively assist overseas organisations in the drive to improve health, safety and environmental performance.
2001 David Ballard, Third Director General of the BSC appointed
David Ballard, LLB, BSc MSc, CEng, FICE, FCIArb, Barrister is appointed as Director General in August 2001. David is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Barrister. He spent the early part of his career in the construction industry, mainly engaged in international work, and for the past eighteen years has been managing membership organisations.
Following three years in the chair, Peter Cole solicitor was succeeded by Sir Frank Davies CBE. Sir Frank joined the BSC following a varied career including leadership roles in the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Sir Frank was the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission in the late 90s.
2002 ISO 9001:2000 approval of the Quality Management System
The BSC is awarded ISO9001:2000 accreditation by Lloyd's Register Quality assurance following an audit of its processes and systems.
2003 Formation of BSC Awards (2003)
In support of the Government's 21st century skills strategy, the BSC Trustees support the formation of an awarding body to work towards recognition by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and population of the National Qualifications Framework with a new suite of qualifications.
2004 QCA Recognition
In July 2004, BSC Awards receives confirmation of its status as the 114th QCA accredited awarding body.
2005 IOSH accreditation of BSC Awards qualifications
The BSC Awards Level 6 Diploma and Level 3 Certificates in Occupational Safety and Health are accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) at Graduate and Technician levels respectively. In addition to the UK qualifications, IOSH additionally accredit the International Diploma and Certificate qualifications. The UK and International qualifications are also recognised by the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) at Full and Associate membership levels respectively.
£2m of reserves are designated to support the London 2012 Olympic Games. The BSC Trustees designate funds to assist up to 200,000 workers associated with the London Games to achieve a nationally recognised qualification in health and safety.
2006 BSC Trustees offer £1m to members for Level 1 examinations
Over 10,000 learners of member organisations successfully achieve the BSC Awards Level 1 qualification.
Achievement of 'Investors in People' status
Further to a project involving all the BSC staff, we are awarded IIP status on 7 September 2006.
BSC pilots the new Entry level qualification in secondary schools
Following a development project involving the HSE and IOSH, the new Entry Level qualification in Workplace Hazard Awareness is piloted in 20 secondary schools. The qualification which is aimed at year 10 pupils is designed to reduce the number of accidents associated with 'new workers' and apprenticeship programmes.
New Chair appointed to head up the Board of Trustees
Following nearly six years in the chair, Sir Frank Davies CBE is succeeded by Nina Wrightson OBE. Appointed to the Board in September 2001, Nina was Risk Management Director for Northern Foods plc. She is Chairman of RoSPA's National Occupational Health and Safety Committee and a past President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). She has a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Post Graduate Diploma in Safety and Hygiene, is a Fellow of IOSH and a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner. Nina was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to health and safety.
A couple of extras…
In 1982, Ranee the elephant visited the BSC?s Hammersmith HQ to deliver a giant 25th birthday card signed by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as a host of MPs and celebrities.
Politicians of all stripes have presented BSC awards or sent messages of congratulation to the winners. The list includes Jim Callaghan, Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Harold Wilson, Willie Whitelaw, John Patten, Denis Healey, David Steel, Robin Cook, Tam Dalyell, Lord Carrington, Gerry Fitt, Geoffrey Howe and Patrick Mayhew.
The Miss Beautiful Eyes competition was run on an annual basis to promote eye safety, with the winner usually announced in the May edition. In a similar vein, 1985 saw Sarah Wright selected as the BSC's Ladder Princess in aid of National Ladder Safety Week.
Sid James, Barbara Windsor and the 'Carry On' girls posed for BSC safety posters in 1974. Other posters have featured 'It Ain?t Half Hot, Mum', 'Till Death Us Do Part', 'James Bond', 'Hellraiser', Rolf Harris, Rod Hull and Emu, Esther Rantzen, Jackie Stewart and flautist James Galway.
And a few of the BSC?s early campaigns…
…against smoking
…for more women safety officers
…against drinking and driving
…for compulsory seat belts in cars
…for regulations on the transport of dangerous goods
…against alcohol and drug abuse at work
…for stricter controls on guns
…to ban the retail sale of fireworks
…for safer toys
…against the asbestos industry
…for safer children's playgrounds
…for proper facilities for skateboarders
…for compulsory training for safety officers
…for the removal of Crown immunity for safety prosecutions