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News release

23 December 2009 NR 74/09

Make 2010 the safest and healthiest year yet

Times might be hard right now, but firms should still make a resolution to keep their staff healthy and safe in 2010, says the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the world’s largest health and safety professional body.

While many of us will make individual resolution’s to get fitter or healthier, John Holden, the president of IOSH, said that businesses too should make a New Year Resolution to play their part to cut the 180 deaths, over 130,000 injuries and 1.2 million cases of ill-health caused by work last year.

And John said that employers should also be encouraging employees who’ve made resolutions to improve their health to stick to them:

“If a member of staff has resolved to give up smoking or to improve their fitness, then support from their employer can make a huge difference in helping them stick to their healthier lifestyle.

“The workplace is a great place to encourage people to live safe and healthy lives. Work is good for your health – provided you’re not under excessive pressure or in a working environment where risks with your safety are routinely taken.”

IOSH is calling on businesses to make a resolution this year to:

• promote work life balance by discouraging long working hours
• promote good safety culture
• clamp down on workplace bullying
• create opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle

“By doing this, not only will we cut the number of deaths in British workplaces, we’ll also have a significant impact on the number of serious injuries and cases of ill-health caused or made worse by work.”

John added that firms could help their staff to enjoy a healthier lifestyle by:

• allowing more flexible working
• encouraging walking or cycling to work
• offering healthy alternatives, like fruit, at meetings and working lunches
• promoting staff discounts at local leisure centres and health clubs
• publishing local walk information
• encouraging employees to set up and attend support groups or clubs, such as weight loss or sports activities.

“You can also help to reduce stress by ensuring that your organisation sets reasonable deadlines and work demands and promotes good communication,” John added.

He concluded: “Keeping staff fit and healthy is good business. You gain because your workers will be off much less with ill-health, they’ll be more productive and feel valued. The employee benefits from being healthier and by gaining new hobbies or interests. Even during the tough economic times we’re going through, investing in health and safety initiatives is still a smart thing to do if you want to maintain a profitable business.”

- Ends -

Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 35,000 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.