The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched a new expert-led commission to examine the future of occupational safety and health (OSH) skills in the UK, as concerns grow over workforce shortages and increasing pressure on safety professionals.
Convened in partnership with Speedy Hire, the OSH Skills Commission brings together leaders from across the industry, unions and professional bodies to develop practical solutions to skills challenges that threaten workplace safety and productivity.
The initiative was officially launched at an event in the House of Lords by Chief Commissioner and RoSPA Vice-President Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston. It will include five expert panels, each focusing on a key factor affecting workplace safety and health outcomes. The results will be incorporated into a final report with strategic recommendations for government and industry.
RoSPA says the commission comes at a crucial time as Skills England and the government’s new skills strategy for post-16s begin to identify priority areas for workforce development. The organization aims to influence this agenda by ensuring that occupational safety and health skills are recognized as essential to economic resilience and worker protection.
Five focal points, five specialist representatives
The Commission will examine five key themes, each led by a recognized expert in the field:
• Recruiting competent people – Claudia Jaksh, Managing Director of Policy Connect
• Retention of competent employees – Rick Bate, President of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH)
• Consultation and worker representation – Luke Collins, national health and safety officer at Unite the Union
• Wellbeing, culture and psychological safety – Nick Pahl, executive director of the Society of Occupational Medicine
• Technology in health and safety – Kate Field, global lead for people and social sustainability at the British Standards Institution
Each roundtable will examine how growing skills gaps, loss of experienced professionals and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent are being exacerbated by changing work patterns, new technologies and increasing regulatory complexity.
Speaking at the launch, Baroness Crawley warned that the UK was facing a growing shortage of health and safety skills, with real consequences.
“This commission emerged from difficult circumstances,” she said. “Our country is experiencing a growing occupational health and safety skills shortage that is impacting productivity and putting people at risk.
“Our aim is to influence policy and drive informed change through stakeholder engagement, once again positioning the UK as a global leader in health and safety. Together we have the opportunity to future-proof health and safety skills, support national productivity and build a safer, stronger workforce.”
Andy Johnson, HSSEQ group leader at Speedy Hire, said the nature of the modern world of work creates new risks. “We see that the workforce is rather transient and industry-agnostic, moving quickly between roles,” he said. “While this brings new energy, it also creates skills and knowledge gaps that present the occupational safety profession with new challenges.”
Nick Pahl of the Society of Occupational Medicine said the commission’s focus on empowerment was crucial. “By putting skills at the heart of recruitment, retention, wellbeing and technology, the Commission can find solutions that support people and businesses rather than burden them,” he said.
RoSPA says the final report aims to set out a clear roadmap for strengthening health and safety capabilities across the UK, ensuring safety professionals are equipped to deal with evolving risks and helping employers ensure safe, healthy and productive workplaces.
