British Safety Council annual conference
14th July 2015

The BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL has set the programme for its annual conference, ‘Health and Safety – What’s Next?’ on Wednesday 23 September 2015 at Etc.venues Dexter House, central London, with  health at work as much in the spotlight as safety, as indicated by the line-up of speakers and presentations across the day.

During the morning Professor Stephen Bevan, Director at the Work Foundation’s Health at Work Policy Unit, will provide a keynote address. “Very often physical and mental illnesses go hand-in-hand. Among people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), for example, up to 30% also have comorbid depression or anxiety,” Stephen said. “We know that comorbidity can increase healthcare costs by up to 45% and that living with both a mental and physical illness can make staying in – or returning to – work, much more difficult to manage. As the workforce ages, healthcare systems, active labour market policy and employment practice will need to adapt to improve the management of employees with multiple health conditions including mental illness.”

With businesses looking to understand the new Government-funded Fit for Work service, it is an opportunity to hear first-hand from Chris Rhodes, Chief Nursing Officer. Chris said: “Business leaders and managers continue to be challenged by occupational health. It is vital for them to know that there are options available and importantly where and how the Fit for Work service sits amongst them. We know that some employers are uncertain about whether this service will also benefit them and how it will work in relation to them and their employees.”

Other presentations in relation to health at work include that from Gill Sellars, Health and Safety and HR Director at Unipart Group, Mike Slater, Past-President of the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection (BOHS) and Birgit Müller from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).

The conference will consist of keynote addresses as well as a series of presentations and panel discussions. The price per person is £145.00 + VAT for British Safety Council members, £175.00 + VAT for non-members.

www.britsafe.org/whatsnext