IOSH Gifts

In response to the ridiculous range of corporate gifts now available from IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), I've just posted this rant to their fora.


Just what are IOSH doing with our hard earned membership fees. The management appear to be locked in an ivory tower doing what they want to do, and not actually doing anything for the benefit of the mebership. Pens, safety knives and ties should hardly be the major priorities for our professional body, should they? Either IOSH or I are completely out of touch with what is actually needed. They seem to be making lots of decisions that have little or no effect on my (our?) working life, and just add to the image of the safety professional being a pompous buffoon out of touch with reality.

• Corporate membership - will mean absolutely nothing to my company's managers.
  
• Gifts for me to give out at training session - I'd be laughed out of town.
  
• Salaries for H&S staff with a PhD being >£50K - please return to the real world.
  
• The most points available in CPD to be gained from attending branch meetings - of very very limited use.
  
• 10% of CPD to be gaiuned by writing a "plan" - absolutely worthless.
  
• The view that safety professionals will be listened to more in their companies because IOSH say so - derisive.
  
• The complete lack of a sense of humour on any subject - again reinforces the stereotype of the H&S Officer.
  
• The preaching nature of letters on smoking bans and the continuing treatment of people as sheep to be prodded and led to the promised land of no risk.
  
• The hundreds of emails and wasted junk mailshots about the conference.
  
• The continued harping about what is best for IOSH not what is best for their members.
  
• The royal charter and corporate image being the only thing that IOSH seem to striving towards.

As you may have guessed, I will not be buying gifts. I only continue as a member as I need the letters after my name. I have responded to IOSH's questionnaires.

Anyway, I think I've calmed down now.