Positive vision for the future

"Next July will be the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act," he said in his address. "The framework set by this Act has been responsible for many of the positive changes we see today and has produced a track record we should be proud of. However, we see a number of threats which could risk undermining this progress."

Thomas outlined five key areas for focus in 2013: engaging in the European Commission’s wide-ranging review of health and safety regulation, striking the balance between employer and employee liability, a re-evaluation of the claims culture, reviewing the management of health and safety inspections, and changing the rhetoric around health and safety for the better.