IOSH meets Lib Dems

20 September 2011

IOSH “built a rapport” with Lib Dem politicians at their annual conference this week as the Institution continues to establish positive relationships with parliamentarians across the parties.

Our head of policy and public affairs, Richard Jones, and public affairs adviser, Andrew Baldwin, were joined by media team members Amy Chappell and Annalisa Marzotti at the first party conference attended by the Institution since 2009.

The conference, at Birmingham's ICC from Saturday 17 to Wednesday 21 September, was an opportunity for IOSH to raise its profile and promote its core aim – a world of work that is healthy, safe and sustainable.

Richard said: “Attending political conferences has some great advantages for a professional body promoting a cause like ourselves.
“Since Saturday, Andrew and I have had a number of meetings with MPs, MEPs and Lords – not only those who have already demonstrated an interest in health and safety but those who potentially could be.”

During the conference and in meetings with parliamentarians IOSH has been promoting a number of key messages, including the recently launched Li£e Savings campaign, the importance of good health and safety in saving lives and increasing productivity, and the importance of risk education.

Richard added: “The meetings have helped us to further build a rapport with Lib Dem politicians and we hope to work with a number of them going forward.
“On top of our pre-arranged meetings, we have had the opportunity to network with other charities and like-minded organisations.
“There have been a number of fringe events we have found useful - some just covering topics of interest and others that highlight issues we may want to get further involved in, such as the Lib Dem-proposed National Institute of Wellbeing.”

Visit IOSH's new blog to find out what our media team have been up to at conference.