The Health and Work strategy, published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), aims to work with others to increase focus on occupational health, particularly stress and related mental health issues, musculoskeletal disorders and lung diseases.
It was launched on Thursday 15 December at the Nova Victoria construction site near Victoria Station, in London, with the support of the UK's Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Penny Mordaunt MP.
HSE statistics show that work-related illness affected around 1.3 million workers last year, with nearly 26 million working days lost because of it.
Richard Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH, attended the launch to offer the Institution's support to the launch of the Health and Work strategy.
He said: "IOSH is delighted to work with HSE to help further develop and strengthen this important new strategy on work-related health.
"Health and safety professionals have a key role to play in helping organisations to manage health risks and prevent harmful exposures at work.
"There is an enormous challenge here -- with an estimated 1.3 million workers suffering illness they put down to work last year and 13,000 deaths due to past exposures. We need to manage 'health' more like 'safety' and keep upskilling all involved -- managers, workers, professionals and regulators."
Richard added: "We need more recognition that 'good work' is good for health and wellbeing and good for business too -- an investment, not a cost.
"IOSH looks forward to further engagement opportunities to share good practice and help deliver a healthier working future."
The HSE has invited stakeholders and the general public to view and comment on the strategy. This can include sharing information about your own contributions to improving health at work.
Click here to join the engagement on the Health and Work strategy.
