Deep thinking on profession’s future

The panel, established in January 2024, offers considered perspectives and real-world examples on the complex issues that the profession faces. Its purpose is to shape the direction of IOSH’s thought leadership and, by extension, influence the agenda for the future of occupational safety and health. 

Big questions

In the short time the panel has been together, they’ve already voiced what they feel are significant questions.  

• Is there such a thing as a health and safety profession or are we really part of a family of disciplines?
• How does occupational safety and health communication need to change in an age of disinformation, conspiracy theories and anti-expert rhetoric?
• Is there a split in our profession between ‘old’ and ‘new’ views of safety and is the quality of debate healthy?
• How do we really drive health and safety performance?
• Are areas such as environment, social and governance (ESG), health and safety, and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), actually now part of wider profession of ‘sustainability’ or ‘responsible business leadership’?

What has the panel achieved so far?

The panel has contributed to some significant IOSH projects. These include the development of the principles of good occupational safety and health and the review of IOSH’s competency framework. 

Panel meetings have featured wide-ranging discussions on topics including:

• IOSH and ARUP’s joint Towards a safe and healthy future of work report
• the growing influence on work of artificial intelligence
• working at height
• the unique relationship between occupational safety and health and wellbeing
• the evolution of the profession. 

Who is on the panel?

The panel has recently been refreshed and is now made up of eight Chartered Fellows: 

• Nick Bell
• Tom Beswick-Brown
• Craig Foyle
• Tina Morgan
• Andrew Morris
• David Thomas
• Andrea White
• Leslie Wright.