Employment History
1993 - Self employed t/a Alan Bessell Associates
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, CDMC, risk assessments, training, inspections, audits and accident investigations.
Team Leader for National Diploma National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health
Freelance Lecturer with a number of providers on NEBOSH/IOSH courses in UK and overseas e.g. Diploma, General and Construction Certificate, Managing Safely.
1993 - 2001 Government Office for the SW Bristol 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 for Work Experience, Audit Protocol and Supervision.
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".
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, Ply mouth, HM Inspector of Factories
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
1976 Obtained Diploma in Safety and Health, Aston University
1982 Manual Handling Instructors course
Chartered Fellow Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner (Mandatory Participation in Continuous Professional Development)
IPM Stage 1 1982
ISO 9000 Series Lead Auditor 1996
IOSH/Solon Bond Expert Witness Skills 1999
Further and Adult Education Teachers Cert. 2001
GCSE Spanish 2006
Past Committee member IOSH SW Branch having designed and maintained the local web pages
Education
1970 - 1974 Bath University BSc (Hons) Applied Physics
1963 - 1970 Bodmin Grammar School 8 O Levels, 3 A Levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Interests and Personal
DoB 26/12/1952
Golf, current playing handicap 10
Car restoration, last project 1975 MGBGT V8.
DiY and many other competitive and recreational pursuits on an occasional basis.
Spending time at our house in Spain - hence the GCSE in Spanish.
Married. Two non dependent sons.
