OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the period ended 30 September 2024
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION
Charity Registration Number: 1168722
Company Registration Number: 07029077
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and its Advisers | 3-4 |
| Report of the Trustees | 5-12 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 13 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Balance Sheet | 15 |
| Notes Relating to the Accounts | 16-18 |
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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ITS ADVISERS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Trustees
The following persons served as Trustees during the period to the acceptance of this report:
Ms Chris Laszcz-Davis Co-Chair Mr Steven Angele Maurits Verpaele Co-Chair (re-elected 10 September 2024) Mr Alan Leibowitz Honorary Treasurer Dr Thomas P Fuller (stepped down February 2024) Ms Ruth Jimenez Saavedra Dr Seymour Zachary Mansdorf (re-elected 10 September 2024) Ms Lynn O’Donnell Dr David Zalk (re-elected 10 September 2024) Dr Sharann Johnson Peter-John Jacobs Dr Jane Whitelaw (appointed 10 September 2024) Company registration number 07029077 Charity registration number 1168722 Registered office Nuvo Accountancy Ltd Millennium Court First Avenue Burton on Trent Staffordshire United Kingdom DE14 2WH Website www.ohtatraining.org/
Administration Services provided by
Fitwise Management Ltd Blackburn House Redhouse Road Seafield Bathgate EH47 7AQ Bankers HSBC Bank Plc 1 St Peters Street Derby, Derbyshire DE1 2AE
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Independent Examiner
Nuvo Accountancy Ltd Millennium Court First Avenue Burton on Trent Staffordshire United Kingdom DE14 2WH
Solicitors
Nelsons Solicitors LLP Pennine House 6 Stanford Street Nottingham NG1 7BQ
OHTA Advisory Committee
Dr Albert J Tien Chair Mr Michael Connor Mr Jake Ward Mr Maharshi Mehta Dr Deborah Nelson Ms Lydia Renton Mr Alex TSE Chun Kuen Mr Eduardo Shaw Dr Kelly Johnstone
OHTA Awards and Qualifications Committee
Ms Lynn O’Donnell Chair Ms Andrea Hiddinga-Schipper Mr Peter-John Jacobs Dr Sharann Johnson Mr Rene Leblanc Mr Alex TSE Chun Kuen Mr Kevin Bampton
OHTA Operations (Examinations)
Dr Sharann Johnson
Publicity/Marketing
Debbie Dietrich
US Chapter Chair
Mark Katchen
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For the period ended 30 September 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and accounts for the period ended 30 September 2024.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
Incorporated on 24 September 2009 as a limited company by guarantee, the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA) was registered as a charity on 11 August 2016. The Trustees are governed by the Articles of Association incorporated 12 January 2015 as amended by special resolution dated 23 May 2016, and the Byelaws adopted on 2 March 2015.
Member Associations
According to the Articles of Association, membership is open to any organisation which is a member of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) or is an awarding body under the National Accreditation Recognition (NAR) scheme or is otherwise granted membership by the Board. IOHA member associations are encouraged to join OHTA. Membership entitles the associations to vote at general meetings (including in the election of Directors of OHTA), and to contribute to the future direction of OHTA. In return the associations commit to support and promote the development and implementation of the OHTA international training and qualifications framework and encourage, promote and support the use of OHTA modules and qualifications within their area(s) of operation.
There were 42 member associations during the period.
The 2024 AGM was conducted virtually on 10 September 2024 at 20.00 (UK BST), with votes cast in advance. All Member Associations registered prior to the AGM were invited to vote on the resolutions presented.
The OHTA trustees would like to thank each of our Member Associations for their involvement during the reporting period and look forward to continuing to develop our relationship as we move forward with OHTA’s strategic aims.
Organisational Management
OHTA has a Board of up to 12 directors who are also the Charity Trustees. They manage the Charity through regular Board meetings and are responsible for strategic direction and policy. During the financial year the Board had up to 11 directors at any one time.
The Board is assisted by several committees as follows:
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1) Established according to the Byelaws, the Advisory Committee provides constructive challenge to the Board as well as functioning in an advisory and support role. Albert Tien is the Chair of this committee and is invited to attend Board OHTA meetings.
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2) The Awards & Qualifications Committee advises the Board on matters relating to awards and qualifications and acts as the liaison between the NAR Awarding Bodies and OHTA. Each NAR Awarding Body was invited to nominate one person to represent them on the committee. Lynn O’Donnell is both chair of this committee and a director of OHTA.
Within these committees, OHTA benefits from the commitment and support of many hardworking people who give their time and expertise voluntarily.
Secretariat support services were provided for the period by Fitwise Management Ltd, to include all secretariat duties, marketing support and day to day management.
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For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
Director Recruitment and Training
Directors are either nominated by the Member Associations or co-opted for their specific skills or knowledge. Appointments are approved by the Member Associations at OHTA’s Annual General Meeting. In addition, IOHA appoints a representative to be a director on the Board.
Under the requirements of the Articles of Association, at each AGM the three directors who have been longest in office since their last appointment must retire but can stand for re-election at the same meeting if they wish. If more than three directors were appointed (or re-appointed) on the same day, they must decide amongst themselves, or draw lots as to who should retire and/or stand for re-election. The IOHA representative on the Board is exempt from the retirement requirements.
The Board requires breadth and depth of experience to carry out its duties effectively and efficiently. When recruiting new directors, the important attributes are an interest in the objectives and work of OHTA, knowledge and experience in IH/OH work globally, demonstrable leadership in a country specific organisation or association, and geographical and cultural diversity.
All directors give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from OHTA.
CHARITABLE OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
OHTA’s purpose as set out in the Object contained in the company’s Articles of Association is to protect and promote the health of the public by advancing the study and science of Occupational/Industrial Hygiene for the public benefit through the provision of training and education .
For the purposes of the Object, Occupational/Industrial Hygiene means the discipline of anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment with the objective of protecting worker health and well-being and safeguarding the community at large.
OHTA’s aims are:
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developing educational and training materials
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promoting good standards of training to ensure effective health protection across the world
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creating a sustainable model for worldwide training delivery
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developing a qualifications framework that permits international transferability of skills
The promotion of occupational/industrial health and hygiene is for the direct benefit of the working population worldwide and the indirect benefit of the whole population. OHTA’s charitable activities focus on the provision of training and education in occupational/industrial hygiene with the aim of protecting worker health and well-being and safeguarding the community at large. OHTA raises awareness of the issues and helps to train people in occupational hygiene, equipping individuals with the skills necessary to anticipate, prevent and control the exposures that lead to illness and death, thereby delivering an improved public benefit in reducing the incidence of ill-health caused or made worse by work.
OHTA has developed an international qualifications framework aimed at promoting good, consistent quality of training, encouraging international transferability of skills and qualifications, building capability close to the point of need, and creating a sustainable business model. The training and qualification scheme has no formal entry requirements and provides a modular way of building skills to match local needs. All trainers offering the courses are vetted to ensue relevant experience and the appointment of a course director with a NAR recognised qualification.
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For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
OBJECTIVES, STRATEGY AND ACTIVITIES
OHTA’s main objectives for the period were:
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To continue to approve and support training providers in order to develop good standards of occupational hygiene training and increase access to such training across the world.
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To complete the editorial review of the modules to improve quality and relevance and rebrand as OHTA500 series and OHTA201.
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To introduce OHTA MCQ examinations
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To develop the translation of OHTA course materials and examinations
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To continue the development of new modules to expand training content across a broader range of occupational hygiene and other risk-related disciplines
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To communicate regularly with stakeholders* to advocate take-up of the training and qualifications scheme, as well as to encourage donations/sponsorship
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To develop collaborative relationships with like-minded organisations in pursuit of the shared goal of global prevention of worker illness and injury
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To build relationships with Member Associations new to IOHA, and thus to OHTA
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To increase marketing efforts to highlight the work of OHTA across the world
*Stakeholders included Member Associations, professional and governmental organisations, training providers, employers and students.
As part of its ongoing strategic plan, OHTA have worked to revamp all course materials, to offer its own examinations and to support students in emerging economies to complete the OHTA modules (more below).
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the information contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing OHTA’s aims and objectives and in planning its future activities, and have complied with their duties under the Charities Act 2011.The Trustees regularly consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Courses review and OHTA examinations
Starting in 2023, a comprehensive review of all training materials and modules was conducted with the help of global subject matter experts. This led to the creation of the OHTA500 series, which replaced the W500 series previously offered by OHTA (with the companion examinations administered by BOHS). In January 2024, OHTA launched all the new modules, along with reviewing all approved Training Providers and giving those with renewed approvals access to the new materials. OHTA is now proud to offer the revised, copyrighted materials for the OHTA500 series and OHTA201 module. OHTA no longer has an administrative relationship with BOHS.
In addition, OHTA also launched its own examination process using the Moodle Platform. All examinations include MCQ and exam passing Certificates (bearing both OHTA and IOHA designations) are issued within two weeks. All exams are arranged by the training provider delivering the course. New Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has also allowed the course content and MCQs to be translated in several languages to support the global national associations and students; this is checked and verified by volunteers who speak the language fluently. Previously exams were in English only which disadvantaged students who did not have English as their first language. OHTA continues to work on French, Spanish, Turkish, Indonesian and other requested translations.
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
Across its history, and to the end of the reporting period, OHTA has seen some 16,000 students taking courses and sitting for exams. This does not even include the thousands who have downloaded the OHTA materials and used them internally to educate company OH/IH staff.
ICertOHTA and OHTA Pathway to CIH
Following the introduction of the ICertOHTA award in late 2023, 114 had been awarded up until 30 September 2024. The ICertOHTA award is available to students who have completed 6 of the OHTA500 series modules (or 6 of the W500 series previously offered, or a combination of the two).
At the beginning of September 2024, OHTA also launched the ‘OHTA pathway to CIH’ programme, in conjunction with AIHA, WHWB-US and the BGC. The CIH pathway aims to support those in emerging economies to work towards the prestigious CIH qualification. Candidates can apply for the programme if they hold an ICertOHTA Certificate, have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with coursework in a STEM field of study and at least 5 years of professional-level experience. Once these qualifications are vetted by OHTA, and an initial funding assessment carried out, the candidates are passed to WHWB-US who support the candidates on the pathway with an introductory webinar and an assigned mentor. AIHA kindly provide reduced price CIH prep materials to successful candidates.
The ICertOHTA suite of IH/OH courses may very well fit the need for education requirements which can be applied to other national certification processes
Sponsors
OHTA would like to extend a huge thank you to the following sponsors, who donated during the reporting period to enable OHTA’s work:
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
Marketing and PR
OHTA is grateful to Debbie Dietrich for leading the marketing initiatives for OHTA. OHTA develops and sends the Global Link newsletter to its distribution list around 9 times per year. The Global Link features country specific IH/OH information, early alerts and opportunities and clarification. Considerable work has also been done to obtain new sponsors and to maximise relationships with existing sponsors and donors as well as students and trainers. Sponsorship of OHTA has enabled the organisation to support students in emerging economies to take the OHTA modules, and to work towards obtaining their CIH qualification. A list of the 2023-2024 OHTA mailers distributed during the reporting period is listed below:
Several of the Global link open rates were in excess of 45%, which exceeds the 35% open rate benchmarked by MailChimp.
Social media posts were done 2 – 3 times per week during the reporting period, highlighting recipients of the ICertOHTA award, upcoming courses being run by OHTA Approved Training Providers, promotion for the Global Link and other publications, sponsor promotions, national association events, and around the new CIH pathway initiative. The follower count of the OHTA LinkedIn account was 5,887 as of September 2024. From January to September 2024, OHTA gained 1,595 new followers.
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The statement of financial activities shows unrestricted funds for the period of £143,203 (previous period £130,890). The surplus for the period is £12,313 (previous period surplus of £25,210). OHTA received six donations, as well as additional income from the OHTA examinations. The main expenditure for the period was company secretariat services paid to Fitwise management company as well as web development costs, included in IT expenses.
The Trustees consider the overall financial situation of the charity to be satisfactory.
RESERVES POLICY
OHTA maintains reserves, which are unrestricted, as part of its risk strategy. The level of reserves will be determined by the Board as part of the budget setting process. The minimum level of reserves will be determined by an assessment of risk, a review of contractual obligations, and a review of future income and expenditure.
The level of reserves will be maintained at a level which can cover the following commitments in the event of financial crisis or insolvency. This is considered to be: a) Funds to cover the remainder of payments (or notice period) of the professional support services contract. b) Funds to cover the remainder (or notice period) of any other contractual agreements.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
New courses are coming online in 2025 based on special industries; Mining and Metal Processing Industries to be released January 2025, with the Pharmaceutical Industry to follow after the Mining module.
OHTA is expanding into new markets including construction, suppliers of occupational hygiene materials, in-house Company training, medics and occupational physicians. OHTA is also nurturing potential expansion in South America, India, Canada and Africa. OHTA will continue to work on course materials and exam translations, dependent on need, and to support national associations offering training in countries with emerging economies.
OHTA training modules will continue to meet IH/OH education requirements for the CIH awarded by the Board for Global EHS credentialing. Collaboration amongst BGC, WHWB-US, AIHA and OHTA will continue to leverage the professional CIH qualification.
The Trustees and US Chapter Board will continue to seek donations on behalf of OHTA from existing partnerships and new opportunities, whilst looking at other ways to generate additional funds to help the organisation continue to deliver its charitable aims.
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For the period ended 30 September 2024 continued
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................... Chris Laszcz-Davis Co-Chair
………………………………………… Steven Verpaele Co-Chair
Approved on: 26 June 2025
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION
Year ended 30 September 2024
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on pages 14 - 18.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view”, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr D Johnson FCCA Nuvo Accountancy Limited
Nuvo Accountancy Ltd Millennium Court First Avenue Burton on Trent Staffordshire United Kingdom DE14 2WH
Date: 24[th ] June 2025
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OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE TRAINING ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the year ended 30 September 2024
| Total funds | Total funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (unrestricted) | (unrestricted) | ||
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| Income | |||
| OHTA Course Levy | 65.293 | 50,200 | |
| Donations & Sponsorship | 46,598 | 23,947 | |
| Management Recharges | - | - | |
| Interest received | - | - | |
| Examining Body Levy | 267 | 1,533 | |
| E-Learning | 1,399 | 14,807 | |
| Total income | 113,557 | 90,487 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Management charges | 3 | - | - |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 22,359 | 2,970 |
| Governance costs | 4 | 78,885 | 62,307 |
| Total expenditure | 101,244 | 65,277 | |
| Net income/ (expenditure) before | |||
| other recognised gains/losses | 12,313 | 25,210 | |
| Other recognised gains/losses | - | - | |
| Net movement in funds | 12,313 | 25,210 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 130,890 | 105,680 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 143,203 | 130,890 |
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BALANCE SHEET
| At 30 September 2024 | At 30 September 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Bank and Cash | 142,373 | 118,831 | |||
| Debtors | 10,020 | 12,899 | |||
| 152,393 | 131,730 | ||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | 5 | (9,190) | (840) | ||
| one year | |||||
| Net current assets/ (liabilities) | 143,203 | 130,890 | |||
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 143,203 | 130,890 | |||
| Creditors: amounts falling due after | |||||
| more than one year | - | - | |||
| Net Assets | 143,203 | 130,890 | |||
| Funds of the charity | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 143,203 | 130,890 | |||
| 143,203 | 130,890 |
For the year ending 30 September 2024, the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
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These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:
………………………………. ……………………………….. Chris Laszcz-Davis (Co-Chair) Steven Verpaele (Co-Chair)
Date: 26 June 2025
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NOTES RELATING TO THE ACCOUNTS
Year ended 30 September 2024
1. Basis of preparation
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception that investments are valued at market value.
Consolidated accounts have not been prepared as the Charity qualifies for small accounts, and the subsidiary is dormant.
2. Accounting policies
Income
All income is accounted for gross and when receivable.
Expenditure and Liabilities
Liability Recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to pay out resources.
Governance Costs
Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of Trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to Trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Grants payable without performance conditions
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the Charity.
Support Costs
Support costs have been allocated to the activity based on staff time.
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| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||||
| 3. | Management Costs | |||||
| Investment management fees net of rebates | - | - | ||||
| 4. | Support Costs | Charitable | Governance | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Activity | Total | Total | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Independent examination & stat costs | - | 966 | 966 | 840 | ||
| Bank charges | 512 | - | 512 | 162 | ||
| Website and IT | 19,492 | - | 19,492 | 207 | ||
| BOHS Admin fee | 511 | - | 511 | 1,255 | ||
| Professional fees | - | 62,680 | 62,680 | 59,537 | ||
| Marketing fees | 137 | - | 137 | 109 | ||
| Translation | 1,609 | - | 1,609 | 1,112 | ||
| Legal fees | - | 15,239 | 15,239 | 1,930 | ||
| Sundry costs | 98 | - | 98 | 125 | ||
| 22,359 | 78,885 | 101,244 | 65,277 |
| 5. | Creditors | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||
| Within one year | |||
| Trade creditors | 8,290 | - | |
| Other creditors | 900 | 840 | |
| 9,190 | 840 | ||
| 6. | Independent Examiner | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Independent Examiner’s fee | 900 | 840 |
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7. Trustees Remuneration and Expenses
No member of the Board of Trustees, nor any person connected with any such member, has received or is due to receive, any remuneration or expense payment for the year, whether directly or indirectly, from the Charity’s fund.
8. Other Information
Occupational Hygiene Training Association is a private limited company by guarantee without share capital and incorporated in England. Its registered office is:
Nuvo Accountancy Ltd Millennium Court First Avenue Burton on Trent Staffordshire United Kingdom DE14 2WH
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