BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide published

IIOA Chief Executive Marcus Long writes:

‘Standards do amazing things; they solve problems; they improve; they make things better.

From the quality of products to helping governments and businesses hit sustainability targets and so much more in between, the principles of standards as a tool to making things better provided me with the inspiration for a vital standard.

Hundreds of thousands of people take their life every year across the globe. Suicide is a heart-breaking and tragic issue that affects so many. In October 2020, my son Adam – who was 21 years old at the time – took his life. Out of this horror, I knew there had to be positive, however small. It took me three years to think of what ended up being the simplest of solutions – a standard.

Having spent 20 years in standards development and assurance, to me it was easy to see that a standard could help reduce the blight of suicide, a standard which better equips organisations and individuals with some tools to address the problem. By doing this, the ultimate aim is to help those contemplating suicide.

I talked to a wide range of people, both involved with suicide prevention and separately standards development. One motivator was the British Standard BS 30416 – Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause in the Workplace; here was a standard that addresses a crucial issue, an issue that many know little about and a taboo matter to many. This standard, now being developed into an ISO standard (ISO/DIS 45010 Occupational health and safety management – Menstruation, menstrual health and menopause in the workplace – Guidance), showed me that standards can help with issues they have never previously been considered.

Galvanised by this inspiration, I took the subject to BSI at the end of 2023 and we started discussing the idea of developing a standard about suicide, covering intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide. The ideas were developed further with a workshop in February 2024, which was followed up with focus groups to refine the ideas.

On 12 June 2024, BSI approved the development of BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide. A hugely significant moment on its own, but just one step. The first stage was the creation of a drafting panel. As with all standards produced by national standards bodies like BSI and the International Standards Organisation ISO, their strength is the breadth, diversity, knowledge, intellect and passion of those who develop the standard. The drafting panel in this case, absolutely achieved all of this and supported by a main governance committee and a communication committee (which I am honoured to chair) the standard moved forward to a public consultation starting in May 2025.

This stage ensured that an even wider group could examine the draft standard, a group unbounded by their interests or geography. The consultation did exactly what it is meant to: it improved the standard in parts and endorsed others.

This improvement process has concluded now and today – 4 November 2025 BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide is published.

BSI states,  ‘BS 30480 will provide guidance to help organisations take effective action on suicide awareness, intervention and support after a suicide (postvention) in the workplace. It sets out practical steps employers can take to reduce risk, build supportive cultures and ensure employees affected by suicide are given access to appropriate support.

The standard aims to:
• Support organizations in identifying and managing suicide risk in the workplace
• Provide guidance for prevention and intervention
• Strengthen workplace policies and culture around suicide awareness
• Offer clear approaches to support and communicate with staff and an employee’s family after suicide loss’.

This standard is amazing; I am so grateful to BSI for – maybe even bravely – taking on the standard’s development, especially Lachie Humphreys and Jane Packer.  To those who contributed to the standard, wonderfully led by Ann John and Peter Kelly, special thanks for taking your time to contribute; I know many of you have dug deep to do this. You know if you’ve contributed, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The publication of the standard is an amazing achievement, but it does no good at all unless it is used and implemented. To help the standard reach as many organisations as possible, BSI have made the standard a rare free issue one. It is hoped this will encourage a wider take up. No one should be afraid of the standard; it helps break down the taboo of suicide, helping people realise they can help. It helps people communicate with one another, it helps organisations be proactive and reactive. As a guide, organisations should use what works for them, for their circumstances to help.

The inspiration for this standard was a desire to help people like Adam so they don’t have to conclude that suicide is the answer for them. We can all play a role in preventing such tragedy; the standard helps in that role.

Adam’s death was completely unexpected, but looking forward, I feel certain that if there are more people and organisations who are aware – through the standard – that they can help, then lives will be saved. Please use the standard, encourage your organisation and other organisations to look at it and use it. The real pride in this standard’s publication will be when it saves lives’

BS 30480 Suicide and the workplace – Intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide – Guide