BOHS celebrates milestone with key message

It was 27 April 1953 when the Society’s inaugural meeting took place in London. Since then and for seven decades, BOHS has been at the forefront of protecting people from ill-health and committed to its mission to ensure better occupational hygiene standards in the workplace. Over the decades, the Society has grown and transformed into a leading scientific charity with global reach and national influence, working tirelessly to promote occupational hygiene and protect the health of workers.

BOHS is the professional home to the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (FOH) and the Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM), providing training and education as the world’s biggest awarding body for Occupational Hygiene and Asbestos-related qualifications , and works with industry, worker representative groups and government to promote good occupational hygiene practice.

Over the past 70 years, the work of occupational hygienists has saved countless lives, however according to the most recent HSE statistics, in the UK alone, 1.8 million people each year suffer from a work-related illness. This is a staggering figure that highlights the urgent need to keep raising awareness about the importance of preventing occupational illness and effectively control exposures to workplace hazards.

BOHS president, Chris Keen, highlighted the significance of the Society’s milestone anniversary. “Our 70th anniversary is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our members, volunteers, and staff. We are grateful for their contribution to our mission of promoting occupational hygiene and protecting worker health. This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and renew our commitment to making workplaces safer and healthier for all.”

The Society’s CEO, professor Kevin Bampton said, “The need for preventing ill-health in the workplace has never been greater. The only solution to our health and social care crisis is to stop people getting ill and damaged in ways that put premature and unnecessary demands on our care systems. The Society has achieved much in 70 years, but we still have much to do."

BOHS is determined to continue its work until it ensures that all people in all working environments have the right protection at the right time.