Safety Management health, safety, and wellbeing opinions

    Kate F High Res

    Rethinking workplace wellbeing for a new era

    Today’s workers increasingly value the flexibility to pick the most suitable working model for their needs – whether this be hybrid, fully remote or site-based. However, new BSI research shows a more important consideration is working for an organisation that genuinely prioritises employee wellbeing, offers development opportunities and encourages staff autonomy.

    By Kate Field, BSI on 16 June 2025

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    The great training gap: 2.4 billion reasons to rethink safety education

    In a world beset by change, uncertainty and unpredictability, the power of education to create safer and healthier workplaces remains a constant.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 10 June 2025

    Paddy Lillis Usdaw General Secretary

    Abuse of shopworkers continues to rise – more needs to be done

    Over half of retail workers have been threatened by a customer in the past 12 months.

    By Paddy Lillis, Usdaw union on 06 June 2025

    David Sharp

    Managing the risks of digitalised working

    AI-powered systems, digitalisation and automation offer great potential for improving efficiency and driving innovation at work and in society, but digitalised work practices also pose a significant threat to employee wellbeing.

    By David Sharp, International Workplace on 04 June 2025

    4 Paulbw

    Work at height: never disregard the dangers

    I suffered devastating injuries in a totally preventable fall from height at work, and I’m passionate in encouraging all employers to do more to educate workers about the dangers of taking short-cuts with safety.

    By Paul Blanchard, Life After an Accident on 19 May 2025

    Neil Blacklock Photo

    Drones: flying high or greater depths?

    Drones are often used to avoid the need for humans to work at height, but they can also be used in certain dangerous confined spaces, such as silos, sewers and tanks, reducing the risk to workers.

    By Neil Blacklock, Rainham Industrial Services on 16 May 2025

    Usdaw Freedom From Fear

    Violence against shop workers grows in an epidemic of retail crime

    Violence against shop workers has more than doubled in a year, according to Usdaw’s latest annual survey, as official figures show that shoplifting has risen by over a third. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers.

    By Paddy Lillis, Usdaw on 26 April 2024

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    A false dichotomy: safety regulation vs. economic prosperity

    In recent months, political leaders around the world have rallied behind an all too familiar battle cry: seeking to slash “red tape” and unlock promised profits, productivity, and potential. This pledge for regulatory reduction perpetuates a dangerous and false dichotomy - that safety regulations and economic prosperity exist only in opposition to one another. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 02 May 2025

    Ladder Association Image Min

    Ladder Association embarks on latest phase of market surveillance

    Research by the Ladder Association has repeatedly revealed serious concerns about the safety and quality of telescopic ladders sold in the UK via online marketplaces. Now, the Association is expanding its market surveillance, research and testing programme to cover ladders sold by physical stores, to both root out non-compliant ladders and identify those that are good quality and safe to use.

    By Peter Bennett OBE, Ladder Association on 01 May 2025

    Heat Stress Man MED Istock 1308386875 Credit Juyochi

    Heat at work: a silent killer

    Workers across the world are increasingly being exposed to excessive heat with serious implications for their safety and health. It is therefore vital that governments, employers and workers’ organisations develop, share and implement practical and low-cost strategies and measures for effectively reducing the risk from heat stress at work.

    By Halshka Graczyk and Lacye Groening, ILO on 07 April 2025