So very often we measure workplace exposure to harmful substances and environments through lag measures: we capture physical damage to the people we are responsible for through health monitoring and surveillance or worse, through failures such as employee liability claims, RIDDOR reports or enforcement action – truly trying to close the door after the horse has bolted.
The industry Occupational Hygiene Management Group (OHMG) thinks it is time for the industry to have a new, proactive strategy and start at the beginning, to consider the Occupational Hygiene risks in our industry recognising our history, cultures, and climate.
This presentation will explore the practical contribution occupational hygiene and the OHMG can make to our healthier railway of the future through creating a better, shared understanding of the risks from exposure to hazardous substances and environments and toolkits, guidance and examples of best practices to help mitigate current and avoid future risks. Together, we can not only enable legal compliance, demonstrably prevent work-related illness and injury and reduce cost, but also improve the quality of life of our colleagues.
Our session is particularly aimed at those with responsibility for health and safety/environment, occupational health, safety representatives and anyone involved in the assessment of workplace hazards and risk assessments or safety compliance or assurance, however anyone working in the industry may find this a revealing and energising session they can reflect on when considering their own workplace and environment.”