Safety Management Magazine opinions

    Istock 000019788268 Double Credit Chrispole

    Asbestos: the public’s right to know

    Why we urgently need to improve training standards and awareness about asbestos exposure.

    By Richard Blunt, Mesothelioma UK on 02 September 2025

    Sarah Lyons

    Asbestos in schools: we urgently need a properly funded removal programme to reduce the risk to pupils and staff

    The National Education Union (NEU) was formed in 2017 from an amalgamation of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). In total we have around half a million members, who work as teachers, support staff and leaders.

    By Sarah Lyons, National Education Union (NEU) on 03 September 2025

    Balance Work Life Illustration MED Istock Credit Nuthawut Somsuk

    Sustainability and worker wellbeing: two-sides of the same coin

    Businesses increasingly understand the benefits of integrating their approach to worker wellbeing with their sustainability goals – and there are some practical, low-cost and simple ways of achieving this.

    By Dr Audrey Fleming and Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 07 October 2025

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    An AI-enabled ‘zero-zero’ future

    In a relatively short time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become synonymous with technological development, but development doesn’t inherently mean that the workers of the world will have a safer future.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 07 October 2025

    Susan Laurie

    Act in autumn to fix work-related alcohol issues year-round

    With employers likely turning their attention to Christmas and end-of-year parties for their teams, autumn is an ideal time to launch prevention, support and education programmes around alcohol at work, providing a real opportunity to protect health, productivity and performance.

    By Susan Laurie, Alcohol Change UK on 01 October 2025

    Charles Pickles

    Why a fourth wave of British asbestos deaths is imminent

    Although in past years asbestos-related mesothelioma deaths have been associated with exposures among construction and related trades working on the fabric of buildings, emerging evidence suggests that future cases of mesothelioma will be dominated by those exposed as children and teachers in schools in recent years, today and in the future.

    By Charles Pickles, Airtight on Asbestos on 02 September 2025

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    Echoes, not mirrors: Learning lessons from history

    To anyone outside the occupational safety and health (OSH) field, the job may appear deceptively simple. First, we identify hazards, then we create solutions, and finally, we watch risks disappear into history.

    By Mike Robinson FCA on 01 September 2025

    Lesley Rudd ESF Headshots 268 Edit

    Battery Breakdown e-bike fire safety campaign: where are we two years on?

    The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill currently before Parliament offers the opportunity to reduce the fire risks posed by sub-standard e-bikes, e-scooters and their lithium-ion batteries, but the Government needs to go further and faster to protect public safety.

    By Lesley Rudd, Electrical Safety First on 03 July 2025

    Cladding High Rise MED

    The building safety crisis: a year of Labour in power, still no end in sight for leaseholders

    It’s a year since Labour came to power with manifesto commitments to fix the failed approach to the cladding and building safety scandal and deliver meaningful change.

    By Campaign team, End Our Cladding Scandal on 01 July 2025

    Rolf1

    Why organisations must conduct full vetting and screening processes before recruiting gig workers

    Businesses increasingly rely on gig workers to fill all kinds of roles in various sectors, but a failure to properly check the qualifications, skills and competency when recruiting and onboarding temporary workers could pose a risk, both to health and safety at work and to the organisation’s public reputation.

    By Rolf Bezemer, First Advantage on 08 August 2025