Turning insight into impact

The theatre hosted a wide-ranging series of discussions that reflected the changing world of work and the expanding role of occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in protecting workers’ physical and psychological wellbeing.

The programme opened with a keynote address from IOSH President Richard Bate, entitled The Evolving OSH Profession. Richard explored the growing impact of psychosocial hazards, including workload, autonomy, leadership behaviours, trust and fairness, on workers’ mental health. Referencing IOSH’s wellbeing white paper, From perks to prevention, he highlighted the need for preventative, system‑based approaches rather than reactive wellbeing initiatives.

Richard also reflected on future challenges outlined in the IOSH–ARUP report Towards a safe and healthy future of work, including climate change, artificial intelligence and the gig economy. He urged OSH professionals to adapt to rapid change, challenge outdated thinking and act as advocates for equity, inclusion and fairness in safety practice.

Connection is key

Emphasising connection as a cornerstone of good mental health, he stressed the importance of worker‑centred approaches to technology. He concluded with a powerful call to action, reminding the audience that every regulation, risk assessment and conversation matters, because the profession exists to protect both the mind and body of workers.

Prevention was also a central theme in the session Sexual harassment and abuse – a prevention focus. Professor Rosalind Searle, Deputy Director for Research and Knowledge Exchange and Associate Director for Impact at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, examined how organisational structures, culture and social dynamics can enable workplace sexual misconduct.

Drawing on research involving organisations such as the Royal College of Surgeons of England, she highlighted the importance of addressing root causes rather than relying on reactive responses. The Worker Protection Act was featured as a significant step in placing a proactive duty on employers to prevent harassment.

The IOSH Keynote Theatre also explored generational change through Gen Z at work: rethinking risk, supervision and safety for a new generation, presented by Lauren Mistry, Deputy CEO of Youth Employment UK. Lauren outlined why young workers may face increased risk due to limited experience, confidence and exposure to work, highlighting the importance of clear training, strong supervision and open communication. Insights from the Youth Voice Census showed loneliness and workplace relationships as key factors affecting retention, reinforcing the vital role OSH professionals play in supporting the next generation of workers.

Putting people first

The key role of OSH professionals also came under scrutiny in two further sessions that emphasised the need for effective partnership working. The first one, chaired by IOSH Director of Marketing, Policy and Insight James Murphy, focused on IOSH’s support for the current work of the Keep Britain Working Review, chaired by former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield. The panel featured Chris Newson, Environment, Health and Safety Director for Make UK; Jo Yarker, Managing Partner of Affinity Health at Work, Birkbeck University of London; ROSPA OSH and Falls Manager Jules Robinson; and IOSH Immediate Past President Kelly Nicoll.

Supporting people to continue working or return to work was given strong emphasis by the panel, underlining the need for flexibility, a greater willingness to facilitate what people can do, rather than what they can’t do, and the overall need to adopt a more proactive, people-focused approach.

This emphasis on people also came to the fore in an IOSH panel discussion on the newly identified ‘OSH principles’ and how to put them into action. IOSH has developed the 10 principles of good occupational safety, health and wellbeing with its members, partner organisations, businesses and other stakeholders. They help to define what good OSH looks like and are designed to support IOSH’s work to drive and promote a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.