Richard Forster

Qualifications:

• OHS Diploma
• OHS Certificate
• Cert IV in Training & Assessment
• Management Studies Certificate
• Higher National Certificate in laboratory administration
• Lead Auditor in OHS Management Systems

Brief employment History:

Richard joined HAZCON in 2008 from the UK where he worked primarily in science, education and  occupational health and safety (OHS). He is an OHS Practitioner with over 34 years experience (in UK and Australia) and has worked for private companies as well as local government.  He has tertiary qualifications in OHS, training and assessment as well as auditing.  He has studied in UK and Australia.

Richard has been a member of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety since 2008 and was a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health whilst working in UK.

Richard maintains a detailed Professional Development record and attends the WorkSafe Victoria HSR Forum, Central Safety Group and Southern Safety Group forums as well as being the HAZCON representative at The Demolition & Asbestos Industry Association of Victoria Ltd.

Richard delivers WorkSafe approved training and has delivered the WorkSafe Small Business Program. He is passionate about working with people and organisations to solve problems.

Richard also has 6 years' experience in Major Emergency Response Planning at pan-London level. He has Gold and Silver Command experience of dealing with real time emergencies including terrorist attacks, major fires and chemical incidents. In Australia, Richard has planned and run emergency response exercises for a range of clients. He worked for over a decade in supporting a Victorian power station implement and maintain its OHS Management System.  

Richard is a veteran of OHS training; devising and delivering over 1,800 training courses in Australia. Topics include:

• Asbestos awareness and removal refresher training
• Construction induction - Work safely in the construction industry
• Contractor management
• Emergency warden and initial fire attack
• Health and safety committees and issue resolution
• High risk work
• HSR initial and refresher OHS training
• Leadership and culture
• Managing OHS and people
• Manual Handling/ Hazardous manual training
• Office safety and ergonomics
• OHS for managers and supervisors
• One source one message (response to Black Saturday fires)
• Plant safety and risk management
• Preventing and responding to work-related bullying and violence
• Risk Management

Richard loves sport, music, comedy and spending time with family and friends. He is an avid reader and loves to explore regional Victoria.