Page 10 - CSA INDEX - Spring 2019

Chairman’s Say

’m often asked the question why I became involved in the CSA. Was it all another cog in my master plan for world
Idomination? Well some of those who don’t know me might think so but those who do realise that I have come to
understand and promote the core values that the CSA was built upon.

I first became involved with the CSA about 12 years ago when the incumbent chairman and also my boss Roger Carlin
asked if I wanted to be part of the technical committee. As I’m sure current and past members of this committee will
agree I did if nothing I brought the average age of the committee down by some way! Joking aside, it’s always been
important to me that everyone in the industry is included in the association, not just senior management.

At the time I didn’t really know what the CSA was. I’d read sections of the compendium and learnt the formulas but
didn’t know what else they actually did. The previous company I worked for were not corporate members and I
assumed that the CSA was a little bit of an old boys club. However, after I started getting involved, I found that the
association was a group of dedicated individuals coming together to help not only the industry but the engineers at
the coal face.

The CSA set standards for individual engineers that are still used today by all the major main contractors; standards
which are held in high esteem by the whole industry. They have helped to produce guidance on a myriad of subjects
from balancing to water treatment, and the industry holds as the operating manuals up as its bible. Over time we
have created and developed training courses that are constantly being updated for new technologies as the industry
moves forward. These training courses have in turn trained the younger generation of engineers in the fundamentals
of commissioning. They have formed bonds and founded relationships with similar trade bodies and associations,
both in this country and abroad. We have developed an extremely successful awards programme that continues to
go from strength to strength every year and celebrates the best and brightest in our industry.

These are the reasons that I continue to be involved with the CSA and I believe that all engineers can give something
back to the industry. Writing a question for a grade 4 exam paper or joining the main committee everyone can help
the next generation. I’m still on the technical committee and wouldn’t change that; it’s of absolute importance to
me. The experience and knowledge we have within our ranks is always incredibly impressive and there is always a
valid opinion on every subject to be heard from members. It’s not just the old boys teaching the new guys the tricks,
instead we all work together to share knowledge, best practice, and ideas to pave the way to the future.

The industry has come a long way during my 20 years of experience in it and it will continue to do so but that can
only be achieved with the help and support of the association’s membership. Frequently, companies are asked to join
various trade bodies which cost vast sums of money and don’t really offer a real dividend for that investment. The
CSA however is an association working on your behalf, for you, your companies, and has the interests of all at its core.
I got involved simply because someone asked me and I stay involved because I believe in the work that we produce
and the guidance, advice, and solid foundation we have for all our members.

I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM and the Awards on the 27th of June. Let’s all have a jolly productive
summer 2019.

Mark Todd – CSA Chairman & Director of Ashford Environmental Services Ltd