The Chemical Business Association (CBA), the voice of the chemical supply chain, is pleased to have played an active role in developing the framework, alongside industry, government and trade union partners, of the new Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership.
The Principles were officially launched on 24 June, at a parliamentary reception in the House of Lords, with the support of Iain McNicol, Baron McNicol of West Kilbride. The event included speeches from Brenda Dacres, Baroness Dacres of Lewisham OBE and Sir Stephen Timms, who both recognised their importance, highlighting the role they will play in preventing work-related health issues.
Representatives from the CBA, together with member companies, attended the event, joining lords, ladies, ministers and MPs, regulators and industry leaders, to mark the launch and reaffirm the sector’s shared commitment to improving workplace health and wellbeing.
Developed by the Onshore Chemicals and Major Hazards Working Group in response to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Prevention Programme, the Principles establish clear expectations for senior leadership in promoting workplace health and wellbeing within the chemicals and major hazards industries.
The Working Group brought together the HSE, trade associations, employers and trade unions, including the Chemical Business Association (CBA), Chemical Industries Association (CIA), GMB Union, Grain LNG, National Gas, Tank Storage Association, Unite the Union, and Yorkshire Water, demonstrating a collaborative commitment to raising standards and preventing work-related ill health across the sector.
As one of the organisations involved in developing and signing the Principles, the CBA has helped ensure the framework reflects the practical realities facing businesses across the chemical supply chain, while encouraging collaboration, continuous improvement, and the sharing of best practice.
Elaine McGavin, Operations Director at the CBA, said: “For many businesses, the challenge is not the inability to recognise the importance of workplace health, but knowing how to demonstrate leadership, engage the workforce and drive continuous improvement. These Principles provide a clear and practical approach for doing exactly that, and the CBA looks forward to supporting our members as they put them into practice.”
Tim Doggett, CBA Chief Executive, added: “Healthy, engaged people are fundamental to a safe, resilient and successful chemical supply chain. These Principles reinforce the importance of leadership in creating workplace cultures where health and wellbeing are valued alongside safety, and we are pleased to have helped shape their development.
“This is another example of what can be achieved when industry, regulators and trade unions work together towards a common goal. By embedding these Principles across the sector and beyond, we have an opportunity to improve outcomes for businesses and, most importantly, for the people who keep our industry moving.”
The Principles of Workplace Health and Wellbeing Leadership build on the successful Process Safety Leadership Principles developed by industry following the Buncefield tragedy in 2005. By placing greater emphasis on board-level accountability, workforce engagement, early intervention, and continuous improvement, they provide organisations with a practical foundation to help prevent work-related ill health and create healthier, more resilient workplaces.
The initiative also supports the Government’s wider ambition to reduce work-related ill health, improve workforce participation and create healthier, more productive workplaces, while reinforcing the chemical sector’s commitment to putting people at the heart of its operations.
Image Right to Left: Tim Doggett, Elaine McGavin and Caitlin Finnigan of the Chemical Business Association (CBA)
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About Chemical Business Association:
The ## Chemical Business Association ## (https://www.chemical.org.uk/) (CBA) has a long and illustrious heritage in delivering for its members, having recently celebrated its centenary year in 2023. It is the leading organisation representing the complete chemical supply chain and an award-winning trade association with record levels of membership.
Many CBA members are SMEs and include manufacturers, distributors, traders, warehouse operators, logistics and transport companies, as well as service providers and suppliers who collectively are the main chemical industry interface providing products and services to virtually every sector.
Such a diverse membership gives the CBA a distinct advantage of a 360-degree view and insight of the global chemical supply chain which, combined with the extensive and in-depth expertise of its staff, enables the CBA to provide wide-ranging services and support to its members, as well as to engage and work closely with Government, not to mention other key stakeholders in the UK and overseas.
CBA members contribute in excess of £5 billion to the UK economy and employ over 10,000 people nationwide, handling in excess of 27 million tonnes and making over 2.25 million deliveries of chemicals each year. Health and safety, as well as people and sustainability, are at the heart of the CBA, as it leads and participates in many initiatives such as the ‘Responsible Care Programme’, which it has been part of since 1993.
The Chemical Business Association is the voice of the UK chemical supply chain.
