IOSH reaches 40,000 membership milestone

21 November 2011

IOSH reached the 40,000 membership milestone today with a pledge to continue to provide a first class service for its members.

The world’s largest body for health and safety professionals has seen an impressive rise in membership numbers, with some 10,000 people signing up in just four years to take advantage of the wide range of member benefits.

And there’s no single reason for the success, said the Institution. Strong networks of member groups and branches, a raised profile in public affairs and media, excellent training courses, its reputation as the preeminent organisation for health and safety – they are all behind IOSH’s continued rise.

Chief Executive Rob Strange OBE said: “IOSH has become the organisation of choice for people involved in occupational safety and health. This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the Institution, and our networks of members around the world who do so much to promote good, sensible health and safety.

“It’s important that we now build on our success and look at what more we can do to improve the safety and health of people at work.”

IOSH membership has not just become essential for occupational safety and health practitioners. Around 9,500 people outside of the profession have joined to take advantage of the many benefits on offer.

Executive director of membership Hazel Harvey said: “I think it’s really important to acknowledge the work we have done in communicating with Government and other professional bodies to raise the profile of the profession.

“People want IOSH membership because they do regard us as the guardians of health and safety competency worldwide.”

Founded in 1945, IOSH became the Chartered body for health and safety professionals and those involved with occupational safety and health in 2003, and it remains committed to cutting down the number of people who die or are made ill by what they do for a living.

Head of membership development Carolyn Issitt said: “I have an amazing team here. They are dedicated to supporting and helping our members. We work very hard to ensure that they get everything they want from their IOSH membership, and it is our pledge to continue the first class service, which has delivered such impressive numbers.

“We are aiming to reach the 50,000 mark as quickly as we can, because there is a strength in numbers. It is one of the reasons we have such a strong voice with Government and other bodies.

“And there are lots of people out there who could benefit from being an IOSH member, so why should we stop now.”