Worker health report ‘should go further’

While a recent report concerning worker health contains many positive aspects, it should have gone further in terms of focusing on the prevention of ill-health, an industry body has said.

According to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), while Dame Carol Black’s ‘Working for a healthier tomorrow’ report "shines a much-needed light" on the failure of healthcare and employment support required to meet the needs of workers, it fails to focus on preventing worker ailments in the first place.

IOSH president Ray Hurst stated: "We warmly welcome the expanded role suggested for safety and health practitioners in promoting the benefits of health and wellbeing at work. But there’s a lot more we can do."

The institution recommends six further steps to help reduce work-related illness, including the provision of increased levels of good quality health and safety training for bosses and better preparation for young people before they start work.

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A body for health and safety professionals, the IOSH operates on a not-for-profit basis.