With the country - and the world - coming together to mourn the loss of the country's longest serving monarch, we take a look at how Her Late Majesty took a keen interest in occupational health and safety throughout her reign.
Soon after ascending the throne, Queen Elizabeth became Patron of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, a role her father, George VI, had done beforehand. The Queen took a keen interest in the work of RoSPA throughout her reign, attending many events for the organisation. When the organisation turned 100 in 2017, The Queen hosted a celebratory garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Twenty years ago, in 2002, The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - IOSH, received its own Royal Charter from The Queen. Just last year, the organisation also became accredited to the Commonwealth, an organisation of nations very close to Her Majesty's heart. Many of its members left condolences on their website, often stating times where they had met her or had correspondence with her.
Queen Elizabeth also kept close contact with other health and safety organisations, such as the British Safety Council.
Others were close to her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Lancashire Occupational Health and Safety Group (LOHSG) , founded when Her Majesty was just four years old, received numerous letters from Prince Philip.
And of course, as with all laws made during her reign, Her Majesty The Queen put her name to the main piece of health and safety legislation in this country. The Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974: Elizabeth II. Chapter 37 (to give it its official legal title) is the linchpin of occupational health and safety across Great Britain.
The Health and Safety profession, as with the rest of the nation, has so much to be thankful for from such a remarkable woman.
Thank you, Ma'am for your continued support of our profession.
