We're about giving the thumbs up, says new IOSH president
November 19th 2007 "We're not bureaucratic busy-bodies, red tape robots or tick box Tony's. We're here to help save lives and keep life worth living," the president of Europe’s largest health and safety body has said.
Recently, health and safety has had the fickle finger of blame pointed at it for banning Christmas lights and firemen from climbing ladders, to the cancellation of bonfire night and the changing of street names.
"But it isn’t health and safety professionals making these decisions,” says Ray,“there are many bureaucratic bunglers looking for an easy excuse and many well-meaning amateurs who are taking decisions without a clue about the consequences.
“In town halls and offices up and down our nation, people are making decisions in the name of health and safety that stops people’s fun and makes life unnecessarily difficult – and it’s all to cover their own backsides. And we in the safety profession have had enough of being blamed.
“I want to smash these myths that health and safety stops you doing things," adds Ray. It’s simply not true to say we stop kids playing football, tag or conkers – we’re about helping things go-ahead, showing the green light, giving the thumbs up. And we do all that while keeping people harm-free, well and happy.
“Do we really want to return to the days where over 1,000 people are being killed by workplace accidents every year? Today that’s down to 241, but that’s still way too many lives being lost, families being destroyed and friends and colleagues left distraught.
“So let’s stop this blame-game and this mis-use of health and safety. Let’s not let managers, politicians or whoever abuse our profession and destroy our good name. We’re the voice of common sense and reason – and we’re here to help people live their lives as healthily and safely as possible. After all, we all know it’s no fun having an accident or suffering an illness.”
You can now keep track of what IOSH president Ray Hurst gets up to,click here to read Ray's online diary.
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