FEATURE
A PERFECT BLUEPRINT
Key announcements affecting the OSH industry and influential speakers were amongst the highlights at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) annual conference. Marcus Boocock, IOSH Media Officer, reports on IOSH 2016.
Described as a ‘game-changing development’ for the industry, the IOSH Blueprint was introduced at a major international safety and health conference.
In a presentation at IOSH 2016, delegates heard that the Blueprint is a competency framework which is designed for both the OSH professional and any organisation.
The presentation was one of many key addresses heard at the conference, which was held at ExCeL London from 21-22 June and was attended by about 800 people, including OSH practitioners and other senior business leaders.
IOSH Executive Director of Policy Shelley Frost and IOSH member Karl Simons, Head of Safety, Health and Wellbeing at Thames Water, told delegates that the first component of Blueprint – a self-assessment tool enabling OSH professionals to assess their competencies and produce professional profiles and development plans – was released earlier this year to IOSH members.
In 2017, the profession will be able to use IOSH Blueprint to access new knowledge and skills training through a ‘knowledge bank’ of resources. And organisations worldwide will for the first time be able to assess their current skills and capability and determine their future needs, enabling them to deliver their vision for safety and health.
www.tomorrowshs.com
IOSH Executive Director of Policy Shelley Frost commented: “We’re delighted that we’re able to announce this game-changing development. For organisations, IOSH Blueprint will set the standard for ‘what good looks like’ in OSH competence, enable the benchmark of best practice and establish a common language in OSH globally. Multinational businesses and other organisations will be able to adopt IOSH Blueprint, establishing the model as the standard-setter and framework for safety and health competency worldwide.”
Sir Clive Woodward, who was coach of England’s rugby team when it won the 2003 World Cup, was a keynote speaker at the conference and told delegates that being able to “think correctly under pressure” – or ‘T-cup’ – is vital in business and sport.
“If you have a pressure situation that you haven’t experienced before or thought about before, there’s a high chance you will not think correctly under pressure,” he said. “If you come across a situation you have experienced or have thought about, there’s a high chance you will think correctly under pressure.”
IOSH President Dr Karen McDonnell had earlier officially opened the conference, telling delegates that IOSH members are “leading the way” in ensuring that senior business leaders recognise the importance of safety and health.
She said: “Together we can shape the future of the profession so that employees in all parts of the globe are kept out of harm’s way and organisations can realise the value of a great safety and health culture.
“Key to shaping the future is influential leadership. Influential leaders can be found at all levels of organisations. And that includes safety and health professionals like IOSH members.”
Other speakers at the event came from a wide variety of industries. There were high-level plenary sessions as well as four different tracks of sessions which delegates could choose from.
Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at mental health charity Mind, said employees suffering from mental health problems require tailored support.
“Two people can experience the same condition differently, so it is important employers look at supporting them individually,” she said. “By looking at tailored support for individuals, and developing an action plan for them, you can really start to help them.”
For the first time, the conference finished with a series of roundtables on hot topics on the OSH industry, including ISO 45001 and the impact of the new sentencing guidelines.
IOSH 2017 will be held on November 20-21 at the International Convention Centre (ICC), in Birmingham.
www.iosh.co.uk 19
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