A new leadership framework aimed at raising standards of physical and mental health in the chemicals and major hazards industries has been officially launched.
The Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership were unveiled on Thursday, June 24 at the House of Lords during an event hosted by Lord Ian McNicol and sponsored by Baroness Brenda Dacres OBE.
The launch featured an address from the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, highlighting the importance of preventing work-related ill health, keeping people in employment and supporting economic growth.
Building on proven safety leadership
The new principles were developed by the onshore Chemicals and Major Hazards working group in response to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Prevention Programme.
They are designed to place clear accountability on senior leaders for workplace health and wellbeing.
The framework builds on the successful process safety leadership model established following the 2005 Buncefield tragedy, which has since become a recognised standard across onshore and offshore major hazard sites.
The same leadership approach is now being applied to occupational health.
Collaborative industry initiative
The working group brought together HSE with trade associations, employers and trade unions, including the Chemical Business Association, Chemical Industries Association, GMB Union, Grain LNG, National Gas, Tank Storage Association, Unite the Union and Yorkshire Water.
The new principles reflect a shared commitment to preventing work-related ill health through the exchange of best practice and lessons learned, with the aim of driving continuous improvement across the sector.
Supporting national employment goals
The initiative also aligns with Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review, reinforcing a wider cross-government approach to reducing both the economic and human cost of preventable work-related ill health.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said: “The launch of the Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership marks an important step towards improving health and wellbeing in the onshore chemicals and major hazards industry.
“I welcome its clear focus on preventing work-related ill health. Working together, we can create healthier workplaces, support economic growth and raise living standards.”
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.”
