An open letter from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government to invest in improving health and safety legislation and enforcement to protect UK workers from harm.

IOSH highlights the landmark Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which was published 50 years ago. There is, the letter stresses, an opportunity to build on the foundations it created.

Calling for an improved focus on mental health, IOSH adds they are encouraged by the government's Employment Rights Bill, which is designed to ban exploitative practices and enhance workers’ rights.

The letter is co-signed by IOSH Chief Executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher and Board of Trustees Chair Professor Peter Bonfield OBE. The letter says:

“Fifty years ago, the UK’s world-leading Health and Safety at Work Act was introduced. Let’s invest further in this pioneering legislation and its regulator. Let’s protect working people’s safety, health and welfare and strengthen our ability to respond to the challenges and opportunities of new ways of working – including an improved focus on mental health at work.

“The content of your Employment Rights Bill gives hope to millions of people who suffer poor working standards. We welcome protections for those in gig work, the informal economy and in global supply chains – as well as the right to ‘switch off’, which Labour promised before the election.

“We believe change will benefit many. The prize will be game-changing: improved performance and productivity supporting profitability and economic growth.”

Before the general election, IOSH published its own manifesto, consisting of five calls to action for the new government:

• Protecting workers’ rights to safe, healthy and decent work.
• Strengthening and expanding the UK’s world-leading system that prevents harm at work.
• Supporting businesses to tackle new and emerging workplace hazards.
• Promoting a diverse, inclusive, skilled and motivated workforce.
• Building a more robust, sustainable economy.

IOSH adds that it hopes to work closely with the government, to ensure health and safety standards across the UK are as robust as possible.

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