With a record 2.8 million people in the UK out of work due to long-term sickness, a spotlight is shining on the health of the nation and how to improve it. What more could, or should, employers be doing to keep workers healthy and prevent them from leaving the workforce?
By Kerry Reals on 11 March 2025
Workplace campaigns and activities aimed at supporting employees to quit smoking and vaping not only boost the health and wellbeing of individuals, they also bring business benefits in the form of reduced absenteeism and healthier, more productive staff.
By Paul Baker, Allen Carr's Easyway on 03 March 2025
The energy sector’s transition to net zero carbon emissions means a rapidly expanding workforce and the creation of new safety hazards and risks. However, energy company SSE is seeking to reinforce and strengthen its safety culture during the move to clean power by putting thousands of employees and contract partners through an immersive training programme designed to convince workers that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
By Mark Patterson, SSE on 28 February 2025
The energy sector’s transition to net zero carbon emissions means a rapidly expanding workforce and the creation of new safety hazards and risks. However, energy company SSE is seeking to reinforce and strengthen its safety culture during the move to clean power by putting thousands of employees and contract partners through an immersive training programme designed to convince workers that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
By Mark Patterson, SSE on 28 February 2025
High noise levels in buildings can have a negative impact on workers’ performance and sense of wellbeing and make it harder to hear safety warning sounds and announcements. However, software is available and constantly evolving that can help designers of buildings achieve good acoustic conditions and acoustic comfort.
By Dr Thomas Judd and Stefan Welgard, SoundPLAN on 28 February 2025
Building Information Modelling has traditionally been used to develop and share digital information, plans and 3D models for the efficient design and construction of buildings and other physical assets, but it also holds huge promise for ensuring the safety of construction projects, from the design phase through to the management of the build itself.
By Manuel Tender, Digital4OSH on 07 February 2025
Employee expectations around the nature and organisation of office, home and hybrid working have changed significantly in recent years, making it more important than ever for employers to rethink and update their approaches to flexible working, ergonomics and workplace design, to better support employee wellbeing, motivation and job satisfaction.
By Guy Osmond, Osmond Ergonomics and Alex Reffell, Osmond Inclusive Wellbeing Services on 04 February 2025
Flexible working has been shown to offer numerous benefits, from improved employee wellbeing to greater productivity. But the rapidly changing nature of work in a digital age means employers need to take a strategic, joined-up approach when implementing flexible working practices, if they are to fully realise the benefits.
By Andy Lake, Flexibility.co.uk on 04 February 2025
Home and hybrid working are now firmly established as regular working patterns for significant numbers of people, so it’s a good time for employers to revisit their arrangements for supporting the wellbeing of home workers – from ensuring good ergonomic workstation set-ups to encouraging regular rest breaks.
By Nigel Oseland, Workplace Unlimited on 31 January 2025
Renting, rather than purchasing, safety equipment like gas detectors and respirators can, in certain situations, offer safety, environmental and productivity benefits, including immediate access to the most up-to-date technology and the ability to save on ongoing maintenance costs.
By Neil Shepherd, Dräger Hire on 31 January 2025
Incidents of abuse and violence against workers who deal with the public are on the rise. What is causing this spike in inappropriate behaviour, and what can employers and the Government do to make the workplace safer for public-facing employees?
By Kerry Reals on 31 January 2025
Incorporating elements of nature, greenery and natural lighting into the workplace has been shown to have a positive impact on employee mental and physical wellbeing, creativity and productivity, and there are some simple and low-cost ways of achieving this, even in the most built-up areas.
By Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 31 January 2025
The move to clean power, such as renewables and hydrogen, is rapidly gathering pace. If the industry is to meet the UK Government’s target for decarbonisation, and to acquire the investment needed to achieve this goal, it’s essential that safety is prioritised as part of the development, rollout and use of these new technologies.
By Megan Hine, Draeger Safety UK on 10 December 2024
