An MP has tabled an Early Day Motion to win backing for IOSH’s manifesto on improving UK citizens’ health and well-being.
Bob Russell, Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester, tabled the motion in support of the manifesto, ‘Creating a healthier UK plc’.
The EDM, which has so far won the signatures of 25 MPs, states: “That this House welcomes the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s new manifesto, titled ‘Creating a healthier UK plc’, promoting a sensible and forward-thinking approach to improving the nation’s health and well-being; and calls on the Government and all political parties to cooperate with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and others to effect appropriate changes and to help the UK create a risk-intelligent society.”
The manifesto calls for action in four areas — health, education, small businesses, and good advice — which, IOSH believes, are vital to improving people’s health and safety, quality of life, and future performance.
Among the areas IOSH has asked MPs to commit to are:
Lauding the Institution’s efforts, Mr Russell said: “The IOSH manifesto aims to bring about a well thought-out approach to improving the nation’s health and well-being, and I don’t think anyone can deny that’s an area which does need improving. Businesses in the UK, in partnership with government and others, have a critical role to play in helping improve the health of the nation.”
He went on to single out IOSH’s vision of creating a ‘risk-intelligent society’ for special praise. Said Mr Russell: “There’s too much alleged ‘health and safety madness’ in our society — raising people’s knowledge of risk, and helping them to better manage it will, I hope, help people get on with what they want to do in a safe way.”
IOSH policy and technical director, Richard Jones, said: “I’m pleased that MPs support IOSH’s vision to help create a healthier UK and I hope that, in time, we can turn many of the challenges into positive action. It’s certainly something we need to do if we’re to reduce the estimated 1.2 million workers who had ill health they put down to work last year.”
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