30.06.2006

Goodbye Peter Oram

The sad news arrived today that Peter Oram, a leading light within the HSE and the crane industry, passed away on Sunday. Peter had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Love him or hate him, everyone respected him and most liked him, even those who did not like some of his decisions. He had a great sense of humour and sound judgement, something that helped implement safety rules, that at the time were not always popular.

Those who knew him well say that he always had a way of making the meetings he chaired, or attended, fun. He had a knack for resolving tricky regulatory issues on the wider European stage and pushing through a pragmatic approach against all odds.

He will be sorely missed
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Peter Oram Receives his Lifetime achievement award from Tim Whiteman at the crane dinner in 2002

Peter’s funeral will be held on Tuesday at 14:00, at Longcroft Christian Fellowship, on Merseyside. This will be followed by a short committal at the Landican Crematorium at 3pm. Refreshments will then be served back at the Longcroft after the committal.

His youngest daughter Alison, speaking for the family, said “As a family we are very aware of how Peter valued the people he met through his work and the friendships that developed. With that in mind his funeral is open to anyone who feels they are able to make it”. “We will look forward to meeting those of you who feel they can come on Tuesday”.

Flowers can be sent to the funeral directors (Henry Norman, Mellock Lane Funeral Home, Neston, South Wirral, Tel. 0151353 1954) before noon on Tuesday. Alternatively, if you wish you can send a donation to Cancer Research or the Red Cross.

Click here for directions to Longcroft
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Peter Oram 1937 – 2006

Peter Oram was born in London in 1937, and was educated at Dartford County Technical School for Boys; he began his career in 1954 as an apprentice with the Ministry of Supply's Aeronautical Inspection Directorate (AID) laboratories in Harefield, Middlesex. After completing his apprenticeship in 1959, with Higher National Certificates in Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, he started work as an AID inspector monitoring the production of military aircraft.

He spent a year at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, where he worked on the provision of test facilities for Concord, but returned to AID, remaining there until 1967, when he moved to the Factory Inspectorate which later became known as the Health and Safety Executive.

He soon began to specialise in cranes, and soon tuned in to industry practice and the risks that the sector faces. He became well known throughout the crane industry, even today you will be hard pressed to find a person in the UK or International crane industry that do not either know him well or at least know his name.

In the 70s he was appointed as chairman of the British Standards Committee for cranes. In this position he took on leadership of the development of BS7121, the British Standards for the Safe Use of Cranes, and revolutionised the industry’s approach to safety.

Oram’s contribution to the industry continued beyond BS7121, he worked on LOLER and standards such as BS466. He remained as chairman of the British Standards Committee for cranes for the rest of his life.

His growing influence in the crane world was reflected in his appointment as chairman of the European Crane Standards Committee CEN TC 147, and then as a key participant in the International Standards Committee for Cranes, ISO TC 96.

After leaving his position at the HSE in 1994, Oram went on to work as an independent consultant and expert witness, both in the UK and internationally. In 2002 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, for his promotion of the importance of safety in the crane industry.

He was always very helpful and approachable. Whenever we needed some background, expertise or input at the Vertikal Press on a tricky article, Peter would be happy to listen and advise and provide as much help as you needed.

He was, what is becoming increasingly unusual within the regulatory world, or even, to an extent the industry, a ‘Character’’.... a big character.

The crane world is a poorer place without him.