Meet the Member - Adrian Sims

MEET THE MEMBER ADRIAN SIMS FOH SPECIALIST MEMBER

QWHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE YOUR CURRENT PROFESSION? A Fate. My father is an engineer and I used to watch him do technical drawings at home. I thought that looks good so left school and trained to become a building services engineer. After several job moves I ended up working for a centrifugal fan manufacture who did installations of LEV systems. They made me redundant in 2001. I started Vent-Tech working closely with industry manufactures, supplying and installing LEV. It was only by chance that I came across a BOHS conference being held in Norwich back in 2005 (I think) talking about HSG258 which I attended and met Alvin Wooley and Andy Gillies. After talking to Andy, the long drive back led to a bit of ‘blue sky’ thinking about the direction both Vent-Tech and myself were moving in. It was after this that I met Bill Cassells and we did the very first P602 LEV Design course together. Q WHY DID YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF BOHS? A Following the conference in Norwich, it seemed the right thing to do. BOHS is an organization that is striving to make a difference to people’s wellbeing. As an LEV engineer I have the same goals.

QWHAT ASPECT OF YOUR BOHS MEMBERSHIP DO YOU VALUE THE MOST? A The networking with likeminded people.

QHOW HAVE THE BOHS QUALIFICATIONS HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?

They have helped me gain a basic understanding of the principles of LEV and occupational hygiene. Together with my building services engineering degree they help me fully understand how LEV works and more importantly is used. Q HOW HAVE THE BOHS CONFERENCES BEEN VALUABLE TO YOU THROUGH YOUR CAREER? A As above, they are a great place to network and share knowledge.

QWHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT OUR PUBLICATIONS (ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURE AND HEALTH, EXPOSURE, FAAM NEWS, E-BULLETINS, WEBSITE NEWS)? A They help me keep up to date with the latest thinking in the industry. Not all of it is relevant to what I do but it is a great resource.

QWHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROLE BOHS IS PLAYING IN PROMOTING WORKER HEALTH PROTECTION? A Education and awareness (if these are not the same thing). The biggest challenge we face is educating people as to the how and who should use them?

The BOHS has the ability to position the right people in front of the right audiences to make this happen.

QWHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF, OR THOSE ENTERING THE PROFESSION? A Read more. There is a wealth of information out there available at our fingertips. When I was younger the internet was not what it is today so we were limited to the books in the local library however now there are articles, blogs, webinars, videos etc. and all sorts of good information available online.

However, this comes with a health warning. There is also a lot of poor information out there.

QAWAY FROM YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE, WHAT HOBBIES AND INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE? A I have always done a lot of sport including canoeing, climbing and in later years I started playing rugby.

I try and keep fit and play 5 aside twice a week but I have reached a physical peak now where this is rapidly becoming walking football! Many of the people I play with would describe it more as just walking.

WANT TO BE OUR NEXT EXPOSURE STAR? Contact us at exposure@bohs.org to find out how!

BREATHE FREELY

Controlling exposures to prevent occupational lung disease in MANUFACTURING

The Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection

Sponsored by

FREE to attend Breathe Freely Roadshows 2020 Protecting welders’ health

Birmingham 19 February 2020

Manchester 19 March 2020

Durham 13 May 2020

Bristol 18 June 2020

Breathe Freely in Manufacturing launches a new series of Roadshows in the UK in 2020, sponsored by Plymovent.

The breakfast seminars will focus on the prevention of lung disease amongst welders in the manufacturing industry.

These FREE-to-attend events will provide important information for anyone who is responsible for the protection of workers' health in the manufacturing industry, especially Senior Managers and Directors.

Expertise BOHS, HSE and other leaders in occupational health and manufacturing will explore the extent of the issue and discuss practical solutions.

Free materials Speakers will introduce the Breathe Freely in Manufacturing campaign and guide you through the free resources and tools provided.

Case studies Industry professionals will present good practice examples and case studies.

Networking A unique opportunity to network with other industry professionals, have your voice heard, and exchange knowledge and expertise.