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Curriculum Vitae for Bernard Alan Bessell

Employment History

1993 - Date: Self employed t/a Alan Bessell Associates

Health and Safety Consultant

  • Wide range of clients drawn from Public and Private sectors. Work includes acting as competent source of health and safety assistance, preparation of safety policies, risk assessments, training, inspections, and accident investigations.
  • Examiner for National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health, Law and Occupational Safety and Health papers and now Diploma.
  • Lecturer NEBOSH Certificate and Diploma, IOSH Managing and Working Safely

 

1993 - 2001: Government Office for the SW, Bristol and Plymouth

Regional Safety Adviser

  • Protecting the Secretary of State's interests in the health and safety of approx. 30,000 youth and adult trainees plus 100,000 pupils on work experience.

Cover 6 Training and Enterprise Councils in SW Region, Gloucester, Wilts. and Swindon, Dorset, Western TEC, Somerset, Prosper (Devon and Cornwall).

  • Representation of SW Region in National policy formulation. Currently on Work Experience, Audit Protocol and Supervision working parties.
  • Formal annual audits of TEC and Careers Service.
  • Quality Assurance of trainee accident reporting.

 

1992 - 1993: Somerset College Arts and Technology, Taunton

College Safety Adviser

  • First full time post holder after the Incorporation of Colleges.
  • Developed College Safety Policy
  • Assisted development of commercial health and safety training and consultancy (and hence my move into self-employment).

 

1985 - 1992: Somerset County Council, Taunton

Health and Safety Officer (Education)

  • First Full Time Education Dept. Health and Safety Officer
  • Developed Health and Safety section of Policy and Admin Handbook
  • Advice to 6 F.E. Colleges, 44 secondary Schools and over 200 Primary Schools
  • Inspection of establishments, accident reporting and investigation.
  • Training of Governors, Heads and Teaching/Non teaching staff.
  • Awarded Municipal Mutual Supreme Award for Safety in 1992 for my video "Hazards Ahead" a training aid for Governors and Heads.
  • Represented LEA on HSE Working Party producing guidance for school governors.
  • Represented LEA on School Science Working Party.

 

1980 - 1985: Taunton Deane Borough Council, Taunton

Assistant Personnel Officer/Safety Adviser

  • Dual role combining safety with personnel work for Manual and craft employees
  • Chaired SW Provincial Employers Safety Advisory Panel
  • Set up Somerset Safety Advisers Free Exchange
  • Commenced lecturing on SWPE courses

 

1978 - 1980: Caradon District Council, Liskeard

Safety Officer

  • First post holder
  • Solid introduction to the "poachers" role!

 

1975 - 1978: Health and Safety Executive, Plymouth

HM Inspector of Health and Safety

  • First class training, particularly in Law. Obtained postgraduate Diploma in Safety and Health, Aston University Jan - July 1976
  • Very wide experience of all industry types and sizes through visits to hundreds of premises
  • Presented prosecutions before Magistrates on 3 occasions. Numerous Enforcement Notices served.

Professional & Training

  • Chartered Fellow Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
  • Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner (Mandatory Participation in Continuous Professional Development)
  • 1976 Obtained Diploma in Safety and Health, Aston University
  • 1982 Manual Handling Instructors course
  • IPM Stage 1 1982
  • ISO 9000 Series Lead Auditor 1996
  • IOSH/Bond Solon Expert Witness Skills 1999
  • City and Guilds 730/7 Further and Adult Education Teaching Certificate 2001
  • GCSE Spanish 2006

Education

1970 - 1974 Bath University Bath

  • BSc (Hons) Applied Physics

1963 - 1970 Bodmin Grammar School Bodmin

     

  • 8 O Levels, 3 A Levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Interests

Golf, current playing handicap 12, Classic cars, recently parted with my much loved MGBGT V8. Also enjoy DiY and many other competitive and recreational pursuits on an occasional basis.

Personal

DoB 26/12/1952. Marriage to Irene in May 1999. Two non dependent sons from my first marriage.