WIREDGOV

A lifesaver who provides support to heroic volunteers has scooped the 175,000th NEBOSH health and safety gong after studying with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Peter Dawes, lifesaving servicing manager for lifeboat search and rescue charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), became the 175,000th person to pass the NEBOSH General Certificate in occupational health and safety after attending a course run by RoSPA.

NEBOSH chairman Sir Bill Callaghan presented Mr Dawes with a silver salver to commemorate his achievements during a special ceremony held at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset. Also taking part in theevent were Errol Taylor, RoSPA’s deputy chief executive and RNLI colleagues who also passed their NEBOSH certificate.

Mr Dawes said: "[The NEBOSH General Certificate] is good for all industries and 175,000 is an awful lot ofpeople who have been better trained at looking after their colleagues and the companies they work for.”

The NEBOSH National General Certificate is one of the most popular health and safety qualifications in the UK and is ideal for managers, supervisors, or those looking to start a career in health and safety.

Errol Taylor,RoSPA’s deputy chief executive, said: "It is a fantastic achievement to be the 175,000th person to be awarded with the NEBOSH General Certificate.

"The fact that so many people have been awarded this internationally-recognised certificate just goes to show the value of the qualification. Both the course and the exams are thorough and provide an excellent grounding in health and safety. Success depends on a combination of good trainers and enthusiastic candidates. Fortunately, RoSPA candidates regularly do very well.

"We would like to say congratulations to Mr Dawes for doing so well and for going straight on to study the NEBOSH Diploma.”

Delegates who attend RoSPA-run NEBOSH courses receive practically-based, expert tuition from professional CMIOSH-qualified tutors. RoSPA offers both in-company courses and a variety of scheduled dates.

To find out more about the RoSPA-run NEBOSH General Certificate visit www.rospa.com/safety-training/work/nebosh/certificate/