25.06.2007

Knighthood for Callaghan

Bill Callaghan chairman of the UK's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has been awarded a Knighthood for his services to health and safety.

Prior to taking up appointment as HSC chairman, Callaghan was the chief economist and head of the Economic and Social Affairs Department at the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
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Bill Callaghan at this years Access Industry Forum

Sir Bill Callaghan, as he is now known, said, "I was thrilled and delighted to be given this honour. I hope that I have made a difference over the last eight 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."

Geoffrey Podger, chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive (HSC), 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 HSC/E 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."