BOHS - BRITISH OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE SOCIETY
BOHS Chief Executive Officer , Simon Festing
One of the key points stated in the executive summary of the HSE ’ s strategy document , is that “ Everyone in the health and safety system should play their part ”: a simple enough declaration that may sound obvious – but clearly one that requires constant reiteration , so that employers and employees are reminded about occupational hygiene and the need to place , and keep , ‘ health ’ firmly at the top of everyone ’ s agenda .
The first two of the HSE ’ s six strategic themes distinctly underline what is needed to raise awareness and encourage ownership of worker health protection :
• Acting together : promoting broader ownership of health and safety in Great Britain
• Tackling ill health : highlighting and tackling the costs of work-related ill health
Of course , these themes also reflect BOHS ’ ethos : BOHS ’ vision is ‘ A healthy working environment for everyone ’, and the Society works hard to raise awareness of worker health protection – via a range of activities and campaigns . One of its strategic themes and objectives ( within its 2016 – 2020 strategy ) is to ‘ Raise awareness of occupational hygiene ’: BOHS has made huge strides in this area , through its ‘ Breathe Freely in Construction ’ campaign .
Via free materials and educational resources on the Breathe Freely website , and three years of activities including many roadshow events , significant progress has been made to raise awareness of worker health protection . BOHS ’ campaign has attracted unprecedented levels of support in its first two and a half years , from employers , trade unions and other influential people and organisations .
BOHS has now signed up over 100 supporters from across the construction industry , and over 60 Breathe Freely talks have been delivered at roadshows , events and meetings across the UK , all designed to offer practical advice on managing health . The second phase of the campaign , ‘ Breathe Freely in Manufacturing ’ launched earlier this year , and aims to replicate in a new sector , the success achieved by BOHS in the construction industry .
Simon commented further on the illustration presented by these latest statistics :
“ The cost of work-related ill health remains frustratingly high – especially frustrating given that it ’ s comparatively easy in many situations to make simple changes , in order to protect workers ’ health .”
He concluded : “ We can all influence significant change in attitudes to worker health protection by focusing on working together , taking responsibility and promoting the excellent messages of the HSE , along with our own – to achieve a healthy working environment for everyone .”
For more information and insight , go to www . bohs . org
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HSE INTERNATIONAL