A framework designed to elevate the standards of physical and mental health at work has been officially launched in June for the chemicals and major hazards industries. The “Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership” were unveiled at the House of Lords, marking a significant step towards preventing work-related ill health and fostering healthier working environments across Great Britain.
Chemicals and major hazards industries adopt new health principles
The launch event, hosted by Lord Ian McNicol and sponsored by Baroness Brenda Dacres OBE, featured an address by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability. Sir Stephen underscored the critical importance of preventing work-related ill health, retaining skilled individuals in employment, and thereby contributing to economic growth. This initiative aligns with broader government efforts, including Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review, to reduce the substantial economic and human costs associated with preventable workplace illnesses.
Developed by the onshore Chemicals and Major Hazards working group, these principles respond directly to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Prevention Programme. They aim to establish clear accountability for senior leaders, building upon the highly successful model of process safety leadership that emerged following the devastating Buncefield tragedy in 2005. That incident prompted industry to develop rigorous Process Safety Leadership Principles, which have since become a foundational standard for major hazard sites both onshore and offshore. The same level of diligence and commitment is now being applied to occupational health.
The working group comprised a range of stakeholders, including the HSE, prominent trade associations, unions, and employers. Participants included the Chemical Business Association, Chemical Industries Association, GMB Union, Grain LNG, National Gas, Tank Storage Association, Unite the Union, and Yorkshire Water. This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to proactively preventing work-related ill health through the systematic sharing of best practice and key learnings, driving continuous improvement across the sector.
Ken Rivers, a Non-Executive Board Member for the Health and Safety Executive, commented on the significance of the new framework. He stated that these Principles represent a substantial advancement in how occupational health is approached within major hazard industries. By uniting regulators, industry leaders, and trade unions, a framework has been created that leverages the sector’s established expertise in process safety leadership. Mr Rivers expressed his pleasure at contributing to this joint endeavour, believing it will empower businesses to safeguard their most invaluable asset: their workforce.
Peter Davidson, CEO of the Tank Storage Association, highlighted his organisation’s active involvement since the working group’s inception. He affirmed that the principles reflect the association’s steadfast commitment to workforce wellbeing and cross-industry collaboration, expressing pride in supporting this vital initiative on behalf of the bulk storage and energy infrastructure sector.
Luke Collins, National Health and Safety Advisor at Unite Central Office, emphasised that work-related ill health remains one of the most significant challenges facing workplaces across Great Britain. He noted that these Principles rightly recognise that protecting workers’ health and wellbeing necessitates visible leadership, meaningful worker engagement, competent management, and an unwavering focus on prevention. Unite strongly advocates for workplace health to be afforded the same priority as safety, complete with board-level accountability and effective trade union involvement.
The launch of these Principles underscores a collective ambition to foster healthier, safer, and more productive workplaces. By embedding a culture where health and wellbeing are paramount, the chemicals and major hazards industries aim to set a new benchmark for occupational health leadership, benefiting both employees and the wider economy.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
