Beyond safety: Managing health risks the right way with Kevin Bampton

Build & Thrive

In this episode of Build & Thrive, Jennie Armstrong speaks with Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), about one of construction’s most overlooked challenges - protecting workers from ill health caused by work itself.

They explore what occupational hygiene really means, why health has lagged behind safety in the industry, and how prevention-focused design can help create a construction sector that doesn’t just build structures - it sustains people. Kevin explains the role of BOHS in shaping standards, research, and advocacy across the UK, and shares why managing workplace health is both a moral duty and a major business advantage.

What we cover:

• Why safety dominates attention while health risks remain hidden
• How long-term illnesses like respiratory disease, asthma, and vibration injuries develop - and how to prevent them
• The economic cost of poor health management (including a 15% hit to labour costs)
• Why planning for health at design stage changes everything
• How construction can learn from other sectors and countries that treat their workforce like skilled athletes
• The future of occupational hygiene - from policy to practice

Kevin’s message is clear: no one should be made ill by their work. Real progress means moving beyond reactive care and embedding prevention at the heart of every project - because healthy workers build better, safer, and more sustainable futures.

If you’re serious about creating a construction industry that values people as much as projects, this episode is essential listening.

🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)

📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B

🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.

Episode Links:

Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/

Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/

Kevin Bampton:

• Website: https://www.bohs.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bampton-6b55441a3/ │https://www.linkedin.com/company/bohs/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohsworld
• X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/BOHSworld
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BOHSworld
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pTnkODfIHad5s9dpuPrpw
• https://breathefreely.org.uk/
• https://www.bohs.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Mens-Health-Response-BOHS.pdf

GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/

Are you investing in a healthier and happier workforce? Take our quick, free assessment to uncover how your organisation measures up in occupational health & wellbeing. Get personalised insights and actionable steps to make a real difference.

👉 Check Your Score Now