Only four UK councils tackling work- related respiratory diseases, BSIF study shows

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is urging Local Authorities to see occupational health as ‘public health’, after an investigation showed that only four UK councils are investing in work- related respiratory diseases programmes.

The BSIF’s have launched a new report this week to encourage industry participation in the prevention of work-related respiratory diseases, following the results of their investigation.

In a bid to change mind-sets towards occupational health the trade organisation commissioned the investigation into local county and unitary authorities to find out respective spends on work related respiratory disease, contacting 402 councils through an FOI request.

Of the 217 local authorities that responded to the FOI, just eight reported allocating any funding to respiratory health and of those eight, only four stated that the funding was specifically related to in-work projects.  

The funding was mostly supporting employee focused smoking cessation programmes.

The Federation launched the investigation after concerns that the 2012 Health and Social Care Act - that gave local authorities responsibility for public health spending, supported by a ring- fenced grant and a specialist public health team - hadn’t yet recognised the impact of occupational health.  

According to HSE statistics, published in October 2016, there have been approximately 12,000 associated deaths due to occupational respiratory diseases, with 30,000 individuals reporting breathing or lung problems they believed were caused or exacerbated by work this year.

The Federation feel central government has prioritised other health initiatives, including preventing premature deaths within the NHS, publishing dedicated campaigns on cancer, heart disease and improving fitness, without mentioning the workplace.

The BSIF Report provides recommendations for local authorities to bolster their current strategies and to help public health spend achieve better outcomes.

Alan Murray, BSIF CEO said: “More than 31 million people are now in work and the issue of workplace illness will not disappear. Occupational health is public health. Work related respiratory illnesses are a huge threat to UK society and must start to be given the critical focus it needs.”