Expert predictions for 2016
“2016 will be about recognising that change and evolution are essential to maintaining our world class system and continuing to deliver a world class health and safety performance. Our refreshed overall strategy will provide important context for the whole health and safety system in Great Britain.
“The focus will be on those areas where new direction and motivation are needed and will challenge all those who are part of the existing system to re-examine what they do and to look at how that can raise their game.
“We need to move the debate away from the ‘burdens of health and safety’ to a position where everyone, regardless of size of business, recognises that proportionate and sensible risk management is an integral part of business continuity and success. We will also be emphasising the need for workplace health to be properly addressed alongside safety.
“We already have a great health and safety system in Great Britain but in 2016 we will see it evolve to be even better and we will share our knowledge with others to help them improve.”
Judith Hackitt, HSE chair (regulation)
“IOSH spoke to many organisations in 2015 with a modern, progressive take on the value of safety and health. A private school, a construction firm and a household name in manufacturing were among businesses that perceived it as an investment with dividends in the form of greater resilience, productivity and efficiency.
“OSH is a material issue for every organisation and OSH professionals are in a unique position to generate value creation in their area of work. Improved productivity, attracting and retaining staff, CSR and reputation are only a few of the added benefits of being more ambitious.
“If businesses are raising the bar, the OSH profession has to up its game and develop the skills needed to unlock the full potential of occupational safety and health. The ability to engage, influence and lead are essential elements to being successful in generating change.
“To this end, IOSH is developing a framework for OSH skills to support our members, the wider profession and the organisations they work with. The challenge is to equip safety and health professionals with the skills they require to help businesses prosper.”
Shelley Frost is executive director – policy, IOSH
“With 42 site deaths last year, there is no room for complacency in accident prevention – but the challenge is becoming clearer that we need to reach smaller businesses and sites, few of which ever see a health and safety advisor. We also need to be more respectful of the workforce, not just ‘commitment’ briefings, endless inductions and then headshaking when people step outside method statements, but proper engagement and a focus on error not just compliance.
“The industry at the top end is moving rapidly – innovation and new technology requires practitioners to understand apps and hand-held devices, to be open to new ways of working (BIM etc.). The biggest change is in understanding and addressing health and wellbeing during construction and in the finished products through Placemaking. A whole new skill set is required if health and safety is to prove that it can enhance business and for the occupants of new buildings enhance life.”
Lawrence Waterman, director of health and safety and Battersea Power Station Development (construction)
“As the voice of the wind and marine energy sector, we stand behind our commitment in partnership with our members to deliver health and safety excellence in order to continue to make the UK a leader as a safe and responsible jurisdiction in which to do business. This commitment is genuine and is supported by all key stakeholders in our sector, but there are some major challenges going forward.
“The renewables sector is faced with the demand to reduce costs across the whole supply chain, while continuing to strive for improvements in health and safety performance. This is further set against a challenging political and regulatory landscape.
“However, there will also be major opportunities to make a step change in health and safety standards in our sector. A key area is likely to be a greater focus on ‘safe by design’ across the whole project life cycle. In addition, skills and competence standards are also seen as a major area in which we will aim to drive improvements during 2016 and beyond.”
Chris Streatfeild, director of health and safety, RenewableUK (renewables)
“2015 has been an interesting year for fire safety, with the lowest number of fire-related deaths in a decade (in the UK). However, globally, the fire safety message is still not reaching the right people as the port explosion in China and fires in nightclubs testify. Closer to home, regional devolution raises the risk of inconsistency of fire safety enforcement and falling fire safety standards if not managed appropriately.
“Looking ahead, the competence of fire safety advisors will come under increased scrutiny, along with the management of fire safety throughout supply chains. This is alongside a push for improving fire safety in homes and rental properties.
“The importance of standards in driving better fire safety management will also feature, with the revision of landmark British Standards and the recent launch of the 9th edition of the Joint Code of Practice for Fire prevention on construction sites.”
Jerry Flechais, vice chair of IOSH Fire Risk Management Group (fire safety)
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