A message of condolence

19 September 2011

I am sure I speak for IOSH when I send our deepest sympathy to the families, friends and work colleagues now facing the impact of the tragedy at the Gleision drift mine near Cilybebyll, in South Wales.
And we must thank the rescue teams who fought so heroically, albeit vainly, to save the lives of those four trapped miners.
In the aftermath, the employers and safety inspectors have difficult times ahead trying to make sure this does not happen again. IOSH and its members will, of course, support in any way we can.
Recently, our profession has been focused on the potential changes to legislation and to our profession around the world. However, these events are a stark reminder of our heritage and the reason why the UK developed one of the best health and safety records in the world.
The legislation that was born out of our hazardous industrial past has saved countless thousands – but every once in awhile we are rocked by the tragedy of risk being realised and people losing their lives.
This has been a terribly sad week that has served as a reminder, if we ever needed it, of how our work in occupational safety and health is as vital as ever.

Steve Granger
President
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health