New health and safety strategy to be launched for UK companies

A new strategy for health in the workplace has been published by the Health and Safety Executive, in an attempt to improve health at work.

The MP Penny Mordaunt, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, is supporting the new Health and Work strategy.

According to recent figures, musculoskeletal disorders and stress account for around 80% of working days lost to ill health. Additionally, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released data that demonstrates that around 12,000 deaths occur every year due to occupational lung diseases. This accounts for an estimated 90% of deaths related to previous exposure in the workplace.

In 2015, around 1.3 million workers suffered a work-related illness, which resulted in almost 26 million days being lost. The cost for new cases of absence due to workplace ill health is thought to be more than £9bn a year. It is also estimated that 25% of enforcement notices issued by HSE are related to concerns regarding health and safety in the workplace. The launch of the strategy took place at Nova Victoria in London, and stakeholders were encouraged to join in person, via webinars, social media, and email.

HSE has invited comments and information from all stakeholders about the strategy, to build engagement with the process, and invite people to share their own strategies for improving health in the workplace.

Existing regulations mean that all companies must provide training and the use of PPE and specialist workwear where appropriate, protecting workers from harm.