Help us tackle accidents and ill-health
June 29th 2007 The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called on the new secretaries of state for work and pensions and health to work with them to tackle the “twin evils” of workplace accidents and ill-health, helping improve the quality of working life and also the country’s economy and productivity.
Peter Hain has become Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, while Alan Johnson takes on the role of Secretary of State for Health in Gordon Brown’s new government. And IOSH has called for both men to push forward an agenda that will improve workplace safety and health for years to come.
Lisa Fowlie, IOSH President, said: “The twin evils of workplace accidents and ill-health caused or made worse by the workplace must be tackled. 212 people died in accidents last year, while two million suffered ill health caused by or made worse by work. 6000 people die each year from occupational cancers caused by work.
“We hope that Mr Hain and Mr Johnson will work with the health and safety profession to help tackle these disturbing figures, which represent personal tragedies for all those concerned. Prevention needs to be high on their agendas and they need to work with their colleagues across government on this. We call on Mr Hain to give his backing to the joint IOSH/DWP initiative, headed up by Dame Carol Black, looking at how occupational safety and health practitioners can work with government and others to help improve the health of the working-age population.”
Lisa added: “IOSH is very much looking forward to meeting and working with both new Secretaries of State and their respective teams. Our main campaign this year is called ‘Get the best’ and we hope both Ministers will make sure they do just that, by engaging with IOSH on health and safety issues. We’re determined to help them make the UK a safer and healthier place.” More articles from IOSH: | 
