The UK’s occupational safety and health (OSH) sector is facing unprecedented pressures, with widening skills gaps, retiring professionals and the demands of new technologies reshaping workplaces.
In response, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched its OSH Skills Commission, a sector‑wide initiative aimed at rebuilding and future‑proofing the skills needed to keep workers safe.
The Commission was unveiled at the House of Lords and is led by RoSPA Vice President Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston. Bringing together leading voices from policy, industry, professional bodies and trade unions, the Commission will explore how the OSH profession can adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. In partnership with Speedy Hire, it will examine how to equip the next generation of professionals to protect workers across all sectors.
Baroness Crawley described the initiative as a national wake‑up call. “Our nation faces a growing occupational safety and health skills shortage that is impacting productivity and putting people in danger. Together, we have an opportunity to future‑proof OSH skills, support national productivity, and build a safer, stronger workforce,” she said.
To produce evidence‑based recommendations, the Commission will convene five expert‑led roundtables. These focus on recruitment and retention of skilled professionals, consultation and worker representation, wellbeing and psychological safety, and the integration of technology in OSH. Each session will generate insights to feed into a strategic report for government and industry.
Industry partners are already feeling the impact of shifting workforce patterns. Andy Johnson, Group HSSEQ Director at Speedy Hire, noted that “a transient, industry‑agnostic workforce is moving rapidly between roles. While this brings energy, it also creates skills and knowledge gaps that present new risks for the OSH profession.”
Nick Pahl, CEO of the Society of Occupational Medicine, welcomed the Commission’s emphasis on wellbeing and worker voice, highlighting the need for training that empowers professionals rather than burdens them. “Mental health, workplace culture and psychological safety are now integral to OSH. The solutions we identify must support both people and businesses,” he said.
The OSH Skills Commission marks the start of a wider dialogue spanning education, industry, regulation and workforce planning. Over the coming months, it will gather evidence and consult experts, culminating in a report with strategic recommendations for government, employers and educators. Without a skilled, adaptable OSH workforce, the UK risks undermining the safety, productivity and resilience of its workplaces.
