Staff realise the value of health and safety

A recent poll has revealed that the majority of staff believe health and safety in the workplace is a necessity.

Research by YouGov, on behalf of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), found that 65 per cent of respondents think that health and safety measures are a life-saving necessity, while 28 per cent felt it was red tape.

A further 67 per cent described it as important and 69 per cent said it was not a burden, according to HR Magazine.

Ray Hurst, the president of the IOSH, said the figures exposed as a myth the fact that safety measures in the workplace were seen as a hindrance rather than being helpful.

"H&S [health and safety] is sometimes used as an easy excuse by bureaucrats who are afraid of litigation, or for over-the-top public safety decisions. People don't go to work to be made ill, injured or killed and it's pleasing that our research shows the vast majority agree with us," he said.

The IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a non-governmental body which aims to set professional standards on health and safety issues.