Industry stalwart honoured for services to health and safety
Health and safety practitioner Jak Thomas has been honoured for his ‘enormous contribution’ to the UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry over the past 40 years.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has recognised his services to health and safety by presenting him with its President’s Distinguished Service Certificate.
The 67 year old, of Hampshire, received the award during IOSH’s National Food and Drink Manufacturing Health and Safety Conference, held at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort in Broughton, north Lincolnshire, on 4-5 October.
Thomas, who has been an IOSH member since 1977, says, “I’ve been in the food and drink industry for 40 years and to get this award is a surprise, shock and honour.”
During his career, he has held appointments with the Milk Marketing Board, Dairy Crest Foods, United Biscuits, Grand Metropolitan Foods and Allied Milling and Baking. He has chaired both the Federation of Bakers’ Health and Safety Committee and the Food and Drink Federation’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and helped to develop the renowned ‘Recipe for Safety’ initiative and other key industry safety guidance.
He adds, “Over the years I’ve seen a lot of the food and drink industry. Attitudes and perceptions of health and safety have changed quite radically. People understand now that it is about having a proportionate approach to managing risk, not having a strict approach to prescriptive regulation.
“I’ve found that proper, well thought out policies and procedures have a positive impact on people’s lives, the success of a business and its reputation.”
Thomas was nominated for the award by IOSH’s Food and Drink Industries Group, having served on its committee since its foundation in 2003.
In nominating Thomas for the award, group chair John Boyle notes, “Jak has been active in health and safety and with IOSH for a significant amount of years.
“It is difficult to measure accurately his enormous contribution beyond the formal inputs. He has always brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear in contributions to activities, events and projects for the benefit of IOSH, the Food and Drink Industries Group and the many members that have gained from knowing or working with Jak.”
