IOSH
Our impact 2025-26
Turning ambition into action
Our purpose
We aim to make workplaces safer and healthier by increasing the skills and knowledge of workers, and the expertise and visibility of the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession. We show governments and businesses the value of good workplace health and safety. In all of this, we place the health, safety and wellbeing of people at the heart of a socially sustainable future.
Advancing our vision
In the third year of our Activate 2028 strategy, IOSH continued to strengthen its influence and impact around the world. This report highlights how we helped shape important conversations while continuing to support our members’ development and driving a strong, trusted and influential profession.
Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher, IOSH Chief Executive
Setting the agenda
Part of our role is to influence governments, employers and decision-makers by bringing evidence, expertise and practical solutions to the most pressing workplace challenges.
We published four white papers tackling some of these defining issues affecting the future of work.
Beyond the white papers
In the UK we hosted two Westminster round tables involving MPs, government representatives, researchers and industry experts. Participants included Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chair of the Government-sponsored Keep Britain Working Review, and Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson, helping to drive discussion on the future of work and employment protections.
Insights that drive change
Evidence remains central to how we influence change.
During the year, we commissioned research exploring the impact of home and hybrid working on young workers.
The research helped stimulate discussion around workplace culture, development opportunities and the support needed for the next generation of workers - fewer than one in five workers receive constructive feedback two to three times per week.
Making noise where it matters. Don't fall silent.
Working at height was a major focus throughout the year.
The campaign highlighted one of the most persistent causes of workplace fatalities and injuries, raising awareness of the risks and providing organisations with practical resources to help prevent falls from height.
Our Don't fall silent campaign combined powerful personal stories with practical action:
Influence without borders
We work with governments, international institutions and global networks to champion safer and healthier working lives. Through strategic partnerships, thought leadership and advocacy, we're helping shape policies, professional standards and workplace practices that create lasting impact around the world.
Commonwealth engagement
As an accredited Commonwealth organisation, IOSH continued to support dialogue and collaboration across member nations. Through participation in events and partnerships across the Commonwealth network, we promoted stronger occupational safety and health systems and professional standards.
Advancing safety in Africa
IOSH contributed to the Africa Safety Congress 2025, sharing expertise and supporting efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health across Africa and the wider Commonwealth.
Global networks
We continued working with organisations including the Global Coalition for Social Justice, United Nations ECOSOC-linked initiatives supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, International Social Security Association networks and other international stakeholders to advance worker wellbeing and social sustainability worldwide.
Taking safe and healthy work to the world
A trusted professional body should also be a visible one
Throughout the year, IOSH continued to strengthen its reputation as a leading authority on workplace safety and health, providing expert commentary to media outlets and contributing to public debate on issues affecting workers, employers and society.
Our research, campaigns and policy positions generated coverage across specialist, national and international media, helping to ensure the profession's voice was heard where it matters most.
- 382 appearances in top tier media (12.7% more than in 2024-25)
- including national media: BBC News, The Guardian and Mail Online
- and leading trade publications like Construction News
Powered by people
Celebrating 80 years of volunteering.
In 2025, IOSH celebrated 80 years of volunteering and the contribution volunteers continue to make to the profession and the institution. Celebrations took place throughout the year at major industry events in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Dubai.
Volunteers remain at the centre of our success. They organise events, support members, provide technical expertise, influence local decision-makers and help advance our strategic objectives across the globe.
“Volunteering with IOSH has allowed me to work on some of the skills that I wasn’t as strong at within the workplace… speaking, communicating with other people within the industry and also learning from them about their experiences.”
Mike Gibson TechIOSH
- Job role
- Future leaders steering group
“A full circle moment, which was when I was able to share the hints and tips with the new panellist that my first chair shared with me about how to help candidates feel at ease.”
Vanessa Brandham CFIOSH
- Job role
- Peer Review Panel Chair
Presidential team impact
Our Presidential Team acted as powerful ambassadors for the profession and IOSH, supporting 104 events during the year.
Their involvement included:
- community events
- webinars
- international conferences
- stakeholder engagement
- media interviews.
The heart of IOSH
That’s our members – active, engaged, making a mark.
We’ve launched inclusive and accessible communities so members stay in the centre of the debate.
During 2025-26, our 59 communities delivered:
Uniting professionals around the world
Bringing members together
IOSH communities continued to create opportunities for members to learn, collaborate and share expertise.
These activities helped members stay connected to emerging issues, expand their professional networks and contribute to the development of the profession.
Recognising professional excellence
Professional development remains fundamental to creating safer and healthier workplaces.
We celebrated a significant milestone as the first member successfully achieved Chartered status through the new Professional Development Assessment route, demonstrating the accessibility and relevance of our modernised membership pathways.
Graduation ceremonies and recognition events throughout the year showcased the achievements of members who invested in their professional growth and strengthened their ability to make a positive impact in workplaces worldwide.
This year, we celebrated:
“I’m delighted to share that I have officially achieved CertIOSH status with IOSH. This is an important milestone in my career within health and safety, representing continued professional development, commitment to best practice, and a dedication to creating safer and healthier workplaces.”
Sabrina Matthews CertIOSH
- Job role
- Health and Safety Advisor
Building the profession of tomorrow
By supporting high-quality education and training providers globally, we are helping to build the next generation of occupational safety and health professionals and expanding access to recognised routes into the profession.
We issued 208,000 certificates from our portfolio of training courses as well as our tailored course approval scheme*.
Meanwhile, IOSH accreditation continues to provide a trusted benchmark for quality learning and professional development around the world.
*Figure taken from February 2025 to January 2026
The journey continues
As we move further into our Activate 2028 strategy, we remain focused on strengthening the profession, influencing policy, building international partnerships and supporting our members to create safer and healthier workplaces.
The challenges facing workers continue to evolve, but so does our determination to address them.
Together with our members, volunteers, partners and stakeholders, we will continue leading the way towards a socially sustainable future where every worker can return home safe and healthy.
Making work safer and healthier – for everyone, everywhere.