Campaign Success Stories

Breathe Freely campaign  

Breathe Freely is our initiative aimed at reducing occupational lung disease in the UK, which causes significant debilitating ill-health and an estimated 13,000 deaths per year.  Breathe Freely is about raising awareness both of the problem and how to do something about it: we can protect workers' health and prevent most of these diseases and deaths. It is not just "the right thing to do", it is suitable for business as well. And the broad acceptance of this is part of the solution. 

The campaign aims to:  

• Raise awareness about occupational lung disease in the construction and manufacturing industries  

• Present solutions to address the issue  
• Offer free practical advice through toolbox talks, factsheets, guides and online tools.  

Breathe Freely in Construction 

The Breathe Freely in Construction campaign launched in April 2015, and is led by BOHS in partnership with HSE, Tideway, Landsec, Mace and B&CE.  

The campaign aims to control exposures to prevent occupational lung disease in construction. The campaign initially focused on the construction sector as the facts are particularly shocking: there are 5,500 new occupational cancer cases a year and 3,500 deaths from occupational cancer, with the majority caused by past exposure to asbestos (over 2,500 deaths from mesothelioma) and silica. 

Since its launch and through a series of roadshows across the country, the campaign has reached well over a thousand construction industry stakeholders directly. One hundred seventeen high profile businesses operating in the UK construction sector have also signed up as campaign supporters. 

Breathe Freely in Manufacturing 

The Breathe Freely in Manufacturing campaign launched in May 2017, led by BOHS and in partnership with MAKE UK - formerly EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, HSE, TWI, TUC, JCB, Toyota and BAE Systems. Through this campaign, we aim to effect improvements in respiratory health protection for workers in the manufacturing sector, focusing in particular on the vital area of welding. 
 

Welding is one of the top ten causes of work-related cancer, causing an estimated 152 deaths a year in the UK. Also, welding is associated with numerous other severe health conditions, such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), metal fume fever and effects on the nervous system as well as short-term irritation of the throat and lungs, and reduced lung function. 

Past Campaigns 

Asbestos Still Kills 

The Asbestos Still Kills initiative was launched in September 2015 at the Asbestos The Truth event highlighting BOHS' industry-leading suite of asbestos qualifications, and the facts around asbestos and its risks.  Asbestos still presents significant risks today, killing around 5,000 workers each year.  Through this campaign, BOHS is calling for qualified professionals to help minimise the risks posed by this potentially deadly material. 

'Asbestos Still Kills' demonstrates how BOHS continues its international leadership on protection against asbestos, by setting the standards for qualified professionals. 
 

Campaigns we support 

No Time To Lose 

IOSH's 'No Time to Lose' campaign aims to raise awareness of occupational cancer, get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood and help businesses take action by providing free practical resources. 

Research suggests that cancer caused by work claims at least 742,000 lives a year worldwide. 

The latest phase of the campaign focuses on raising awareness of asbestos – the biggest occupational cancer killer claiming at least 100,000 lives a year worldwide. 

Work Right 

A campaign from HSE protecting people by managing risk proportionately and effectively, supporting innovation and increasing productivity.  
 

The campaign brings together different industries, unions, professional bodies, businesses and organisations to share learning and best practice. The campaign reaches out to both employers and employees, encouraging them to join the conversation and make their commitment to Helping Great Britain Work Right.  
 

Mates in Mind 

Mates in Mind is a registered UK charity raising awareness, addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across the workplace.  

It was established by the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG) with the support of the British Safety Council in September 2016.  

The charity aims to provide clear information to employers on available support and guidance on mental health, mental illness and mental wellbeing, and how they can address this within their organisations. 

Stop. Make a change 

Stop. Make a Change is a national event that allows leading UK contractors, customers and suppliers the opportunity to speak directly to employees and suppliers about health, safety and wellbeing issues, and to make commitments to actions targeting an improved performance in these areas. 
 

The campaign launched in 2017 with over 60 companies and 6,000 employees taking part.