Gong for health and safety expert William

Inspector humbled and proud after OBE award

A Bridge of Allan man’s work with the Health and Safety Executive has been recognised in the New Year Honours.

Dr William Stewart Arnold, who was born and raised in Tillicoultry and spent more than 18 years as a mechanical engineering specialist inspector with the executive, has received the OBE.

A few years ago he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which has resulted in him working from home.

The 55 year-old said of his honour this week: “I was initially in utter shock and completely speechless that I had been even put forward for this recognition.

“I feel very humbled and proud of this award”.

Dr Arnold has investigated more than 200 accidents, including 30 fatal accidents throughout Scotland.

He said: “For most of my time with the HSE I have been based in Edinburgh, investigating accidents involving unsafe working practices, failure of equipment and mechanical plant, which have ultimately resulted in harm to human health.

“These accidents have involved a range of different machinery, from construction equipment, to fairground rides, to the gondola collapse in the Nevis range [in 2006]”.

He has lived in Bridge of Allan for the past 25 years and has also investigated a number of serious accidents in the Stirling area.

Dr Arnold explained: “In 2006 I did the mechanical assessment into the failure of a ‘fall arrest device’ at Earlsburn Wind Farm just outside Stirling.

“The failure of this device resulted in a fatal accident for an employee.

“My work led to the product being withdrawn from use and the European Design Standard being withdrawn, and rewritten.

“Over the last seven years I have been a UK representative revising European and International Standards on mobile construction machinery.

“I have also worked closely with UK industry and stake holders to improve machinery safety by design.

“During these last seven years I was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis which has resulted in me working from home due to the loss of my mobility.

“My work has been made possible due to the support of HSE and my family.”

I was in shock and completely speechless that I had been put forward for this recognition