Over 800 senior safety and health practitioners and forward-thinking business leaders from 43 countries attended, making it the Institution’s biggest conference staged in London to date.
Delegates were able to take part in more than 30 conference sessions and listen to over 60 expert speakers, with insight into best practice and case studies provided by experts from household names including Thames Water, Heineken International, BAE Systems, American Express and BP.
The conference explored the theme of Leadership in action - Shaping the future of occupational safety and health, and aimed to directly tackle how to recognise, demonstrate and develop leadership.
In her closing address, IOSH President Elect Dr Karen McDonnell said the conference had given delegates the opportunity to explore the many different facets of what it takes to demonstrate leadership in action.
She said: “People at board level are beginning to see the real value of creating healthier, safer, more sustainable workplaces.
“Partnership working is so vitally important, and part of leadership in action is forging those partnerships that work for all parties involved
“Listening and learning is such an important part of partnership working. It is how we find that common ground on which we can deliver what business needs, communities need, and what we require as occupational safety and health professionals to ensure a project reaches completion safely.”
A total of 58% of attendees were heads of department or managers with the conference attracting a diverse cross-industry audience.
Around 10% of all delegates worked in manufacturing or industrial sectors, with 9% in building, construction or architecture and 6% working in Central or Local Government.
The conference also gave delegates the opportunity to hear case studies, presentations and panel discussions around four themed topics - leadership in action, beyond compliance, managing global risk and occupational health.
IOSH 2015 was staged at ExCeL London on 16–17 June, and ran alongside the Safety Health Expo.
IOSH will next hold its annual conference on 21–22 June 2016.
Image: IOSH President Elect Dr Karen McDonnell speaking at IOSH 2015.