The new president of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has put increased public recognition of safety and health practitioners in helping to keep workplaces safe at the top of his agenda. Neil Budworth, who took over from Lawrence Waterman, said: “We know our efforts significantly reduce the toll of accidents and work-related ill health and improve business efficiency. That’s why our role demands and deserves more formal recognition.” And although individual chartered status, which came into effect this week, is a step in the right direction, the onus still remains on business to recognise the importance of competent health and safety advice, Budworth said. “It is abundantly clear that incompetent advice leaves employees at risk and can mean organisations spend large sums of money for little additional protection,” he said. Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday Gaining the support of managers and business leaders is crucial: “Strong leadership plays a vital role in developing high standards of health and safety. “Clear, unambiguous statements about the importance of safety, backed up by visible management commitment, drive good health and safety,” he added.
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