The Consultants

Summary qualifications and Honours

• 1970 - Bachelor of Science (Physiology/Zoology) Sheffield
• 1974 - Doctor of Philosophy (Zoology, Ecophysiology of fish) University College of North Wales, Bangor
• 2001 - Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health
• 2005 - OBE

Career summary

• 2008 - Retirement from NERC – Director; Birchtree Consultants Ltd
• 1975–2008 - Employed by the Natural Environment Research Council
• 1975–2008 - Employed by the Natural Environment Research Council
• 1973-1975 - NERC Research Fellow, University College of North Wales
• 2001- NERC Safety Adviser/Chemical Risk Assessment, NERC Swindon Office; Band 3; Senior Principal Scientific Officer
• 2000-2001 - Head, Risk Assessment & Critical Loads
• 1992-1996 - Head of Research Station at Monks Wood, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Band 3; Senior Principal Scientific Officer
• 1989-1992 - Head of Pollution and Ecotoxicology Section, Monks Wood
• 2000-2008 - Member, Chemicals Stakeholder Forum, DEFRA
• 2001-2008 - Member, Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances, DEFRA
• 1994-1999 - Member, Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances, Health & Safety Executive
• 1994-Chairman, Core Assessment Group (Environment) of the Joint Meeting on Pesticides (WHO/FAO)
• 1997-Member (Occasional Chair), Final Review Board for Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs), World Health Organisation
• 1999-Member (Chair since 2002), Risk Assessment Steering Group, WHO/OECD
• 1986-2001 - Advisor, representing the United Kingdom Department of the Environment on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides for licensing of new products
• 1983-Consultant to the International Programme on Chemical Safety (World Health Organisation)
• Member of Task Groups on hazard and risk assessment
• 1982- Consultant to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (and its predecessor Departments) on toxic chemical effects on wildlife
• 1982- Member of UK Shadow Group for the OECD Chemicals Programme

Summary qualifications

• 1993 - Bachelor of Science (Open University)
• 1993 - NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
• 1994 - Technician member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
• 1997 - Bachelor of Philosophy (Open University)

Career summary

• 2008 - Director; Birchtree Consultants Ltd
• 2000 - Produced environmental sections for Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICAD) for the World.Health Organization (WHO) on chlorinated naphthalenes, bromoethane, silver, manganese, chlorobenzenes, inorganic tin, brominated phenols, cobalt, organotins, cyanides, heptachlor, chromium(III), chromium(VI) and strontium.
• 1998-1999 - Produced chemical profiles and a categorisation matrix for chemical releases into the food chain via agricultural crops for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
• 1992-2008 - Safety Adviser for the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology at Monks Wood Research Station. Advising staff and management on health and safety, updating the safety policy, monitoring chemicals and codes of practice, and advising on new legislation.
• 1989-1994 - Produced environmental toxicology sections for national hazard assessments on "existing chemicals" funded by Department of the Environment these include toluene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethane, ethyl benzene, tetrachloroethylene, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane,xylenes, dichloromethane, pentachlorophenol, polychlorinated and polybrominated naphthalenes, phenol, naphthalene, cyclohexane, nitrobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene.
• 1987 - Organised and participated in WHO Task Group and Final Review Board meetings.
• 1988-1989 - Assisted in the writing of a contract report for the Health & Safety Executive on the implementation of the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA).
• 1983-2001 - Assisted with the writing of Environmental Health Criteria Documents for WHO on mirex, campheclor, chlordecone, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, kelevan, chlordane, chlorothalonil, endosulfan, hexachlorobenzene, quintozene, tecnazene, tetradifon, lead, mercury, 2,4-D, DDT and its derivatives, tributyltin, polychlorinated biphenyls and terphenyls, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, diethylhexylphthalate, cadmium, linear alkylbenzene sulphonates, ethyl benzene, xylenes, aluminium, copper, zinc, fluorides and arsenic.
• 1983-1985 - Pigeon behaviour and hormonal cycles.
• 1978-1983 - Viruses and hormonal cycles in starlings.
• 1978-2008 - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Natural Environment Research Council

Publications and Reports

Scientific papers, book chapters and reports on chemical risk assessment including:

• 25 international chemical assessment documents for the World Health Organization
• 80 reports on the fate and effects of chemicals for government departments and international agencies

Professional qualifications

• 2005 - Chartered Member Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
• 2004 - MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management; Loughborough
• 2001 - D32/D33 NVQ Assessor
• 1999 - Registered Safety Practitioner IOSH
• 1996 - Member Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
• 1992 - NEBOSH General Safety Certificate
• 1992 - RoSPA Safety Inspectors Certificate
• 1983 - Member Institute of Explosives Engineers
• 1981 - Member Institute of Engineers and Technicians
• 1981 - Member Institute of Leadership and Management

Career Summary

• 2008 – Retirement from NERC – Consultant Birchtree Consultants Ltd
• 1992 - 2008 - Natural Environment Research Council Development and implementation of Health and Safety training courses for the Research Councils on behalf of JTS/NERC Development of audit scheme Production of NERC Policies/Procedures Advising on Health and Safety Legislation. Carrying out safety inspections and audits. Inspection of COSHH engineering controls. Development of risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• 1987 - 1992 - Oxley Developments Ltd Production engineer, ceramics/electronic development
• 1984 - 1987 - Property Services Agency Implementation of planned maintenance programme and design and costing for new installations on USAF bases
• 1983 - 1984 - Anglia Plant Ltd Plant fitter
• 1958 - 1983 - Royal Air Force:- Apprentice aircraft fitter First and second-line aircraft operations Accident investigation Major aircraft and equipment servicing Research rocket assembly and launching for the Meteorological Office Safety auditing and inspections Instructor on weapon systems Explosives engineering

Publications and reports

• NERC Guidance Notes Handling Explosives in NERC Vessels
• CEH Guidance Notes on Safety Auditing
• CEH Guidance Notes on Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
• Reports are prepared following each Safety Audit
• NERC Noise Procedure
• NERC Management of Contractors Procedure
• NERC Risk Assessment Procedure
• NERC Fume Cupboard maintenance Procedure
• NERC Fire Procedure
• NERC High Potential Risk Groups in Risk Assessment Procedure
• Collaboration in all Procedures in NERC Safety Policy

Courses developed and presented

• Safety Management in a Research environment
• Directing Safely in a Research Environment
• Safety Responsibilities for NERC staff
• Risk Management in NERC
• Safe use and testing of fume cupboards
• Manual handling