Most influential? Good question. I’m not sure anyone is asking in this country, but Safety and Health Practitioner is holding an election for the most influential individual in health and safety in Great Britain. They are looking for “people who are inspiring, engaging and have been driving change in occupational health and safety in the UK over the last 12 months.”
Why am I writing this? Because I’m campaigning for a nominee: Rory O’Neill, valiant publisher of Hazards Magazine, which you should all subscribe to.
Why do we over here care who’s most influential over there?
Because Rory’s influence stretches beyond the British Isles.
Not that I know a whole lot about the workplace safety and health situation in Great Britain. But I do know something about Rory. And he has not only been influential in Great Britain, but more relevant for us over here, he’s been influential world-wide. Whether it’s lobbying the International Trade Union Federation to ensure policies that protect worker from COVID-19, or influencing the World Health Organization to recognize workplace concerns, or organizing health and safety advocates for more pro-worker policies in the International Labor Organization, or publicizing important scientific information from other countries, or promoting health and safety organizing campaigns from unions all over the world, or ensuring that worker and environmental concerns are raised on the United Nations agenda, and on and on.
In other words, just because he works from that small island kingdom across the sea, his efforts help keep workers safe in the United States and worldwide. And the winner of “most influential” will become even more influential. And that’s a good thing.
So go to this page, scroll down, choose Rory, and vote. VOTING ENDS ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 10. So act now!
You have to fill in “why” you think he’s most influential, so feel free to steal some ideas from above, or if you already know Rory, you probably have some ideas of your own.
And don’t be deterred by the mugshot above. It’s that fierce and fearsome determination written all over his face that makes him so….influential.
Go forth and vote!
Thanks Jordan – done!
I voted!