SIMPL launches a new five-year Health & Safety strategy

SIMPL has launched a new five-year Health and Safety (H&S) strategy to help member companies further improve workplace safety, health and wellbeing across the polymer manufacturing industries.

SIMPL is an initiative to help to improve the health and safety performance of the polymer manufacturing industries through a partnership of trade associations, employers, trade unions, equipment manufacturers, training organisations and HSE.

Building on the success of previous SIMPL strategies and aligned with commitments made alongside the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the new strategy supports members in translating industry-wide objectives into practical, achievable action plans focused on: reducing accidents and ill health, strengthening health and safety basics, improving leadership and management, and building workforce competence.

The new strategy is structured around three key themes:

• Competence – strengthening knowledge, skills, experience and attitudes to ensure work is carried out safely and effectively.
• Accident and Incident Investigation – improving investigation capability to better understand causes, prevent recurrence and strengthen overall risk management, in line with HSE guidance.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing – promoting proactive and reactive measures to manage stress and psychosocial risks, reduce sickness absence and support healthier, happier employees.

Strong leadership, workforce engagement and shared accountability are central to delivering the strategy’s objectives. SIMPL will support members through a programme of guidance, bulletins, events and training resources, helping sites embed good practice and foster genuine management–workforce partnerships.

By working together through the SIMPL initiative, member companies can drive meaningful improvements in workplace conditions, employee wellbeing and productivity across the sector.

Members of the participating trade associations are invited to demonstrate their commitment to improving health and safety across the sector by signing the 5-year pledge.

A 4-module free online training course for member companies is being developed to support delivery of the strategic objectives.

If your business hasn't signed up to SIMPL, or you wish to know more about the BPF Industrial H&S Committee contact [email protected]

About SIMPL

The partners involved are:

• British Plastics Federation
• Composites UK (Committee Chair)
• Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association
• Glass and Glazing Federation
• British Safety Industry Federation
• Health and Safety Executive
• GMB
• Unite