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Health and safety investment can be “game-changer”, says IOSH

19 Aug 2024

    • The global chartered body for health and safety professionals has called on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government to invest further in legislation which prevents workers from being harmed.

    Such a move would reduce workplace accidents and work-related ill health and provide a “game-changing prize” of improved performance and productivity which will support economic growth.

    In a letter to Sir Keir, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) highlights the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act, which was published 50 years ago, and says there is an opportunity to build on the foundations it created.

    It calls for an improved focus on mental health while adding it is encouraged by the government’s forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.

    The letter is co-signed by IOSH Chief Executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher and Board of trustees Chair Professor Peter Bonfield OBE.

    In it, they say:

    “Fifty years ago, the UK’s world-leading Health and Safety at Work Act was introduced. Let’s invest further in this pioneering legislation and its regulator. Let’s protect working people’s safety, health and welfare and strengthen our ability to respond to the challenges and opportunities of new ways of working – including an improved focus on mental health at work.

    “The content of your Employment Rights Bill gives hope to millions of people who suffer poor working standards. We welcome protections for those in gig work, the informal economy and in global supply chains – as well as the right to ‘switch off’, which Labour promised before the election.

    “We believe change will benefit many. The prize will be game-changing: improved performance and productivity supporting profitability and economic growth.”

    Ahead of the general election, IOSH published its manifesto, in which it made five calls to action for the new government:

    • Protecting workers’ rights to safe, healthy and decent work.
    • Strengthening and expanding the UK’s world-leading system that prevents harm at work.
    • Supporting businesses to tackle new and emerging workplace hazards.
    • Promoting a diverse, inclusive, skilled and motivated workforce.
    • Building a more robust, sustainable economy.

    The Institution hopes to work closely with the government to ensure health and safety standards across the UK are as robust as possible.