Thomas Bedford Medal

Introduced in 1978 and recognised as our Society’s prime honour, the Thomas Bedford medal is awarded annually to mark outstanding contributions of an individual to the improvement of worker health protection.

How to apply

You can submit your application until Friday 5 July 2024.

Application Form

Who was Dr Thomas Bedford?

In the 1920s, Thomas Bedford worked within occupational health, for the Industrial Fatigue Research Board for the Medical Research Council, as an investigator. At the time, he was researching the laboratories, factories, workshops and mines.

Thomas Bedford

In 1945, Thomas became renowned for his publication of the ‘M.C.R War Memorandum No17 on Environmental Warmth and its Measurements’, which saw issues, such as medical officers not being able to use various equipment due to lack of knowledge, being highlighted and resolved.

It was after this that Thomas specialised in researching thermal comfort, and in 1948 he wrote a book on his research on the ‘basic principles of heating and ventilating’. Thomas went on to revise his book, releasing a second edition shortly before he passed away. Researchers still use his books as a foundation for further research in thermal environments today.

Thomas Bedford was a founding member and the first President of our Society. His determination to progress the initiative, along with the determination of the other 49 founding members, is the reason the British Occupational Hygiene Society exists today.