Has “health” become the forgotten part of “health and safety”? What can be done to promote the importance of workplace health and wellbeing?
Politicians are being urged to place a greater emphasis on the importance of occupational health and wellbeing.
At the start of the party political conference season, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is calling for Government action to promote the enormous benefits of good health and safety management.
With more than 12,000 people being killed by occupational diseases, IOSH argues that this statistic is too high and that the Government and employers must do more to prevent further failure.
They point out that health and wellbeing at work can boost productivity, morale and profit – and this must no longer be seen as the ‘Cinderella’ of workplace management.
The Institution’s head of policy and public affairs Richard Jones said:
“We need better awareness, training for GPs, tax exemptions for employers and more recognition of the key role of the health and safety profession.
“The daily impact of getting it wrong on families, businesses and the economy is massive. Last year alone, over a million people suffered an illness they put down to their work, with 22.7 million working days lost to it. We need a national wake-up call to make sure health and wellbeing is taken more seriously.”
Mr Jones added:
“Health and safety professionals have lots of practical advice for making life better for everyone – helping improve health and preventing a multitude of disorders, including work-related cancers, hearing loss, chronic lung disease, skin disorders, disabling muscle and joint pain and stress related illness.
“Though less ‘instant and dramatic’ than injury, sometimes taking years to develop, illness is equally devastating and must be tackled.”
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