Martin Barnard, consultant at Capita, looks at whether we need to rethink the term ‘Health and Safety’ and look to rebrand the profession.
All of us have observed the on going criticism of ‘health and safety’, a discipline that is regarded by an increasing number of people as old hat. For those of us who have lived through the previous rises and falls of the topic, the relentless nature of the criticism and cynicism which now exists when health and safety is mentioned seems harder to break these days. Indeed, it is hard to resist the argument that a tipping point has been reached. In my experience, many, very reasonable, people believe that there is no way back for the term.
Most readers will have their own personal examples of where the perception of ‘health and safety’ — what it means and what needs to be done — have been either misinterpreted, miss-applied or, in some cases, both. Recently, I’ve found myself wondering whether we need to move away from the term ‘health and safety’ altogether, ‘rebranding’ what we do in order to counter-act some of this cynicism.
To understand the argument in favour of starting afresh with a new concept and terminology (wellbeing being my favoured term), one needs only look at some of the health and safety issues that, to its great credit, the HSE Myth Buster Panel is striving to remove from the agenda. It is important that we recognise and loudly acknowledge these as unfortunate and un-rewarding distractions from what really matters.
We collectively need to move beyond, and rise above, situations where:
1) A fabric store could not employ a work experience pupil due to scissors being around;
2) Cafe refused to top up tea in same cup due to health and safety;
3) Company insisting that all visitors must be shown the asbestos register
4) Inspectors and paperwork required for a small screw to be put into a wall;
5) Spectacle wearer not allowed on bouncy castle;
6) Spectator at racecourse had parasol confiscated on health and safety grounds as it could be used as a weapon.
I believe we should look to the concept of ‘wellbeing’ as the vehicle to over-come the cynics, convince the doubters and fully embrace the believers. Properly defined, structured and delivered, wellbeing is the solution to many of the chronic ailments that ‘health and safety’ is suffering from. It is more than a rebrand in reality — it’s a different approach to the same subject. In essence, it is about finding the cure for the condition rather than a treatment of the symptoms.
Success in wellbeing will need to be measured in different ways, most readily achieved by moving away from an over reliance on negative output measures e.g. accident/incident rates, and building on the cultural benefits that come from promoting positive input measures. In that way, individuals at all levels can recognise the benefits such an approach will bring, and readily buy into it.
Wellbeing will allow us to:
The willingness and ability to rise to the challenge of wellbeing will vary considerably between industrial sectors. Some industries, such as construction and heavy engineering, may find it difficult to give up the traditions of the past, where safety was dominant, and success was measured by a reduction in the Accident or Incident Frequency Rates.
In my view, the real challenge is to embrace all of the above in a vibrant and attractive package which people will buy into. To inspire excellence and success, we must move on from the traditions of the past, and look to the future.
Wonderful article and so agree. I hate it when Health and Safety is trotted out as an excuse for Management/ Authorities to justify why they are doing/ not doing something. The ‘wellbeing’ title I feel is a more friendly way of selling safety and health as it encompasses so many areas. My only concern is actually where ‘wellbeing’ fits in the whole ‘people’ or ‘corporate responsibility’ area. You think about Human Resources, Facilities Management. All are claiming that they cover this area. Would the ‘health and safety’ re-branding get lost in ‘wellbeing’ and could our roles and profession be squeezed… Read more »
Stick with H&S. Wellbeing is used to describe all sorts of initiatives, lot of whih are more about making the employer look good than about protecting workers eg resilience, mindfulness etc.
H&S is about real solutions to real problems
Are we not Risk Management Professionals? This is how I see myself, as I am looking at how my department can add value to the business through proactive initiatives and training which will reduce risk to people and the business and prevent loss. In the UK safety has become a target through ridiculous guidance and advice being given out. I hear Wimbledon has banned the champions from climbing onto the low flat roof due to H&S!!! When will it end??? I have experienced too many “professionals” who simply spout legal requirements, are risk averse and cannot undertake cost benefit analysis,… Read more »
Hi All, having previously given this some thought, I was trying to come up with a couple of catchy names for what we do as a Department. I came up with the ‘not only do we provide the paper but also have to do the wiping’ Department but felt it was a bit long-winded. Then came the ‘get out of jail free’ Department but that was a bit too flippant. Then I came up with the ‘afterthought’ department but that made me sound bitter. Then I thought about the ‘do we really have to get them involved’ department but that… Read more »
Protection – lets face it whether talking about people, assets or reputation the work of ‘safety’ professionals should be a proactive role encompassing a range of disciplines and issues – protection covers them all. Indeed being a Protection professional can encompass Environment as well. I suspect a lot of opposition to dropping H&S however just because it is so well known – even if sometimes infamously.
I was in the coal mining industry for many years, in mines rescue, and Lord Robens the Chairman of the Board was instrumental in the forming of the HASAW Act 1974. He had good reason for seeking safer working conditions, and me too, after carrying many injured and dead out of the pits. The public themselves have turned the Act into ridicule and they should be made to revise it all to it’s original purpose and intent. I also served in the WWII and I know we do not want to mollycoddle everyone, but we did fight then for something… Read more »
I think the trouble with re-branding is two-fold. Firstly, it is difficult to imagine an alternative that won’t precipitate a turf war as to whose responsibilities issues come under. Secondly, I suspect the public will soon see through such a move, and consider it a cynical ploy to avoid criticism from those who don’t understand what health and safety should be about. Surely our task is to educate people, not play fast and loose with job titles?
Ian, I agree with that. But i do think ‘safety’ needs to be included in the title, simply because our jobs are about keeping people safe & sound.
Protection & Safety Officer/Adviser/Manager
Anyone?
I agree that a rebrand is required. However, my view is that the words ‘Health and’ should be dropped. Safety is a coverall for many other activities so why bother with ‘health’ which is clearly implicated under safety anyway. It is a hangover from the earliest routes of safety when we had such titles as ‘inspector of nuisances and sanitary inspector’. I admit to liking the first title though. I have dropped ‘health’ from many documents I now use for the very reasons you give. ‘Wellbeing’ I am afraid, is a term ripe for satire. Perhaps we should start a… Read more »
An interesting and thought provoking article. I agree with the principal of advocating “well-being” as a way forward for improving the workplace. But the key point about “well-being” is that it is a higher order mission that encompasses health, safety, welfare, security, wellness, environment etc. This is part of the reason why so many others want to own it as a “buzz phrase”, and through that process of ownership they will eventually corrupt and emasculate a worthy concept. On rebranding health & safety I disagree, we work in a worthwhile profession and we should not apologise for saving lives. I… Read more »
A fantastic article and very valid point Martin.
Which got me thinking…
https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140626164852-18238989-how-best-to-rebrand-an-entire-profession?trk=object-title
I am proud to be a chartered health and safety manager. I will carry on providing excellent health and safety management systems and ensure good long-term health and immediate safety of our staff and the people they work with. Why should I have to hide what I do just because the Tories, the Daily Mail and other tabloids have include Health and Safety in their long hate list. It’s the public that needs to change. They need to stop being so gullible and believing the relentless right wing script.
Do we really need to give in to the “elf&safety” brigade by rebranding? I believe we have an ongoing task to educate people that H&S isn’t all about having reams of paperwork to complete for the most trivial task, but is about engaging with people and helping them appreciate risk and understandhow to manage it proportionately. It isn’t easy, but nobody said it would be!
Sorry , but I shudder at the thought.
“Health and Safety” is an unequivocal description of its essential purpose and function. It’s not a “would be nice if” state of affairs.
I would vote for the blade not to be dulled by a confusing change of title which appears to serve no useful purpose
Agree that wellbeing is too open for misuse
Re-branding vital for confidence and integrity
Personaly opposed to OHAS being applied by the untrained
Competition for re-brand is an excellent idea
prizes?
I guess you can’t win every battle and I’m fed up with the media health and safety blame game! ‘Protection and Wellbeing’ that’s an interesting one! Isn’t it about healthiness and happiness! As a health and safety specialist, we’ve gone down the road of ‘workplace compliance’ = conformity, consistency, fulfilment, achievement and performance! May be it is time to look to the future and broadly put a more positive message around something the media love to hate.
At last – I thought this was a lone crusade started at Reform Conference in 2010.
Our industry is ALL about people doing what they need to do in their roles , but doing it safely .It is an ” Enabling ” profession that allows you to do the necessary , and then fulfil your fundamental human right to go home at the end of the day. Bring on a rebrand that also underlines and individual’s responsibility to themselves and others. It isn’t always ” someone else’s issue !