IOSH has called for better awareness of risk in European-Union policy and law-making so that the push for growth does not put workers’ lives in danger.
The Institution attended the launch of an informal EU working group on risk-based policy-making at the European Parliament, in Brussels, last month.
IOSH executive director of policy Dr Luise Vassie said: “The push for jobs and growth mustn’t inadvertently cut through essential safeguards. We need a better awareness of risks, a better understanding of how to manage them, and a better appreciation of the many benefits – social, industrial and economic – of evidence-based policy and regulation. What we’ve referred to as a more ‘risk-intelligent’ society and world.
“It’s vital that professional bodies such as IOSH have a say in the current view of EU health and safety law and the new EU OSH Strategy 2013-20. That’s why we’re at the launch of this new working group – making sure the voice of the profession is heard.”
IOSH president Subash Ludhra was among speakers at the event, organised by UK MEP Julie Girling and staged in the Altiero Spinelli Building.
Addressing an audience of MEPs, academics and EU stakeholders, he said: “In the formation of policy, it’s right that we examine the risks involved and, importantly, that we understand how the public, government, employers and other interested parties perceive them. That perception shapes the way we move forward with implementation, particularly in communicating risk.
“And, importantly, policy-making needs to be as evidence-based and science-based as possible. And once a policy has been implemented, an evaluation of the results is essential.”
IOSH will soon publish details of its own event to be held in the European Parliament, discussing the value of a risk- and evidence-based approach to health and safety policy and regulation.
