The new Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership have been officially launched today (24 June) at the House of Lords, at an event hosted by Lord Ian McNicol and sponsored by Baroness Brenda Dacres OBE.
A proven model
The Principles are a response to Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Prevention Programme. Placing clear accountability on senior leaders, the framework builds on the model established for process safety leadership following the 2005 Buncefield tragedy.
In the aftermath of the incident, industry representatives developed the Process Safety Leadership Principles, which have since become a foundational standard across onshore and offshore major hazard sites. This same rigour is now being applied to occupational health.
At the launch event, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, spoke on the importance of preventing work-related ill health, keeping people in work and growing the economy. Acknowledging the launch of the principles as “an important step towards improving health and wellbeing in the industry”, Sir Stephen Timms welcomed the focus on prevention saying “Working together, we can create healthier workplaces, support economic growth and raise living standards.”
Developed by the inshore Chemicals and Major Hazards working group, the principles, reflect a shared commitment to preventing work-related ill health through the sharing of best practice and key learnings to drive continuous improvement.
The initiative also aligns with Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review, reinforcing a cross-government approach to reducing the economic and human cost of preventable work-related ill health.
Ken Rivers, Non-Executive Board Member for the Health and Safety Executive, said: “These Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership represent a significant step forward in how we approach occupational health across the major hazard industries.
“By bringing together regulators, industry leaders and trade unions, we have created a framework that builds on the sector’s proven track record in process safety leadership. I am pleased to have contributed to this collaborative effort, which I believe will help businesses protect their most valuable asset; their people.”
Peter Davidson, CEO of the Tank Storage Association, a key contributor to the working group from inception commented: “These principles reflect our firm commitment to workforce wellbeing and cross-industry collaboration. I am proud to support this important initiative on behalf of the bulk storage and energy infrastructure sector.”
Workplace health “as important as safety”
Highlighting the impact of work-related ill-health on the sector, Luke Collins, National Health and Safety Advisor, Unite Central Office, welcomed the principles as recognition that “protecting workers’ health and wellbeing requires visible leadership, meaningful worker engagement, competent management, and a relentless focus on prevention.”
“Unite strongly supports the principle that workplace health must be given the same priority as safety, with board-level accountability and effective trade union and workforce involvement at its heart. By working collaboratively, sharing learning, and focusing on both leading and lagging indicators, employers, workers, and trade unions can help prevent harm, improve wellbeing, and create healthier, more productive workplaces for all.
“From a personal perspective, it is great to be involved with an initiative that is driven by likeminded, supportive professionals aiming towards the same goal; healthier workplaces!”
For Tim Doggett, Chief Executive, Chemical Business Association, another member of the working group, the industry’s people are at the centre: “People are our greatest asset, and health and safety has always been at the heart of what we do. We were pleased to play an active role in the development of these principles which provide a practical framework for creating workplaces where people feel supported, listened to and valued.
“The Principles reinforce the vital role that leadership, culture and workforce engagement play in promoting positive wellbeing and building stronger organisations.
“Investing in the health and wellbeing of our workforce is not simply the right thing to do; it is a shared responsibility that helps create safer, more inclusive and supportive workplaces for everyone.”
The working group involved HSE alongside trade associations, unions and employers, including the Chemical Business Association, Chemical Industries Association, GMB Union, Grain LNG, National Gas, Tank Storage Association, Unite the Union and Yorkshire Water.
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