PLASA appoints health and safety officer, announces 2002 exec committee

PLASA (the Professional Lighting and Sound Association), the UK-based entertainment technology industry organization, has appointed a full-time health and safety standards officer to provide advice and guidance to members.

Ron Bonner, the new appointee, was previously health and safety manager for a local hospital trust, where he had responsibility for health and safety management for 3,000 employees across two sites. His career began in fire safety, in 1972, when he served as an aircraft firefighter with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. In 1977, he joined the London Fire Brigade, where he spent 17 years. After receiving a serious injury in 1994, he retired from the Fire Brigade, having attained the rank of Sub Officer. He then joined the National Health Service as a fire safety adviser and began to study for a professional health and safety qualification; he was awarded the Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health in 1999. He is a member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) and of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

Initially, Bonner will be able to offer specialized support and advice covering all aspects of health and safety legislation, for both the UK and the European Union. He also plans to build a database of international health and safety issues and solutions, with a view to offering a comprehensive information resource for the PLASA membership worldwide, and would therefore also welcome discussion on international health and safety issues in relevant areas where it is felt that PLASA could play a useful role.

Bonner can be contacted at the PLASA head office in Eastbourne, ph: 44-1323-410335, e-mail: [email protected].

In other PLASA news, the organization has announced two new appointments to its executive committee: Tim Brown of Apple Sound and Tracey Patterson of Artistic Licence.

The new places were made available by the departure of Paul Adams (PAI Group) and Paul Hinkly (LMC Audio) from the committee. Adams stepped down at the end of 2001, having served on the committee for 11 years, including four years as chairman (1995-98) and three years as vice-chairman (1999-2001). Hinkly, who made the decision not to stand for re-election at the end of 2001, had served on the committee for 18 months.

Furthermore, PLASA has announced that following the committee's internal vote to elect a new vice-chairman, Diane Grant of DHA Lighting has been elected to that position for 2002, thereby becoming the first female to hold the role in the Association's history. Mick Hannaford of LightProcessor continues as PLASA chairman.