MPA delivered 32 IOSH 'Leading Safely' seminars across the UK in 2017/18 with a total of 350 delegates participating from 26 member companies.

These seminars have been a key element of MPA's Safer & Healthier by Leadership initiative. Attendees have included members of MPA's Council and Board who are visibly demonstrating their commitment to focusing on Inspirational and Effective Leadership, which was made at MPA's 2016 Health & Safety Conference.

Highly interactive and industry specific, the sessions give members the opportunity to share and reflect on their own organisation's performance coupled with understanding how personal Leadership styles and skills can influence performance and drive towards to zero harm.

Whatever the size of the organisation the seminars demonstrate how investing in leadership skills can reap valuable business benefits, including:

• Understanding the difference between managing and leading health & safety
• Reducing accident rates, ill health and absence
• Improving productivity
• Enhanced reputation and recognition amongst stakeholders
• Reduced insurance premiums and legal costs
• Better business continuity and stronger brand

Kevin Stevens, MPA's Director of Health & Safety said "The engagement and commitment shown by participants who have attended the programme reinforces our recognition of the critical role leadership plays at all levels in companies throughout our industry. Hopefully those leaders who have attended 'Safer and Healthier by Leadership' will inspire others in their workplace and in the wider industry to attend as part of the collective effort to achieve Zero Harm.

The combined effort of company leaders across the MPA's fourteen product groups represents the most powerful opportunity to deliver change on the ground in this industry."

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