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News release

07 February 2010 - NR 07/10

Record breaking month for Leicestershire-based H&S headquarters

The world’s leading body for health and safety professionals, based in Leicestershire, has seen 573 members join its ranks this January - a record-breaker for the organisation.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), in Wigston, now has a membership of 38,743. It sees this as testament to the importance of workplace health and safety, especially in an age of austerity as budgets are slashed and people’s workloads increase, placing extra pressure on employers and employees.

With 4,153 joining over the last 12 months, IOSH Chief Executive Rob Strange OBE also believes this shows people see that where common sense health and safety exists, not only does it saves lives, but it also makes good business sense.

Rob Strange said: “This is a groundbreaking month for IOSH, made even more significant by the fact we are still in a time of economic uncertainty with budgets being slashed.

“We have worked closely with the Government on the ongoing review of UK health and safety, because we want the protection given to workers to be proportionate. We’re also trying to right the wrongs of recent years, where health and safety has been used as an excuse to avoid doing things.

“So, with an ever-growing membership of health and safety professionals, this can only be a positive thing for people’s working lives in the future.”

By the end of 2011 IOSH hopes to have over 42,000 members. Its most prolific month before this January was in November 2009 when 480 new members joined the ranks.

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.