office safety

    Indoor Plant Office Healthy MED Istock 2166883761 Credit Azmanl

    Supporting healthy indoor environments is a growing imperative for business

    The internal environmental quality of a building has been shown to positively or negatively affect the physical and mental health of occupants like workers and visitors. For employers wishing to ensure buildings support occupant health and resilience, while simultaneously achieving sustainability goals like net zero carbon, the BREAM standards provide independent, third-party assurance that an asset is achieving the highest possible performance in these and other related areas.

    By Anna Buchanan and Chetas Rana, BRE on 30 July 2026

    Sitting Posture MSD MED Istock Credit Ridofranz

    Why sit-stand desk investments fail without an active working strategy

    Many employers provide sit-stand desks in a well-intentioned bid to avoid the health and productivity problems arising from prolonged sedentary working, but this approach is doomed to fail unless it forms part of a wider, everyday workplace culture that encourages and promotes ‘active working’ and regular exercise.

    By Gavin Bradley, Active Working CIC, Get Britain Standing and Yo-Yo OFFICE® on 03 June 2026

    Sitting Workers Istockpeopleimages MED (1)

    Take ‘movement snacks’ to reduce health risks from desk working, say experts

    Sitting has been called the new smoking, and now professors have come up with a more helpful analogy to beat our addiction to the seat – movement snacks.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 01 August 2025

    Open Plan Office Unsplash

    Making room for safer sounding workplaces

    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

    Man and woman talking and smiling iStock miniseries

    Office design and culture: happier and healthier staff – or the opposite?

    Applying ergonomic principles to workstation set-ups and ensuring the physical environment supports neurodivergent people are just some of the ways of creating an office where everyone can thrive, but a supportive and positive organisational culture is vital too.

    By Guy Osmond, Osmond Ergonomics on 03 April 2024

    Cold light of day 1

    In the cold light of day

    Sunlight is good for our health and wellbeing even during winter. It’s important that we harness its benefits.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 30 January 2024

    Rhian Greaves DAC Beachcroft

    Lawyer makes case for civil sanctions to address health and safety breaches

    The use of civil sanctions as an alternative to criminal prosecution for certain workplace health and safety breaches should be considered, Rhian Greaves, a partner at law firm DAC Beachcroft, argued during a presentation at the SHW Live North conference in Manchester on 23 January.

    By Kerry Reals on 26 January 2024

    Happy Meeting MED Istock Credit Delmaine Donson

    A healthy office: how design can boost wellbeing

    Environmental factors such as noise, air quality, temperature and ventilation can all impact on the health, wellbeing and productivity of office workers, so it makes sense to address them when designing and running office buildings.

    By Bex Moorhouse, Invigorate Spaces Ltd on 20 September 2023

    Neurodiversity MED Istock Ewcreamstudio

    Neurodiversity: the new frontier of workplace ergonomics

    For neurodivergent workers, loud and brightly lit offices can cause sensory overload, anxiety and fatigue, so it’s essential to consider approaches such as providing adjustable workspaces, quiet zones and flexible working so they can perform at their best.

    By Guy Osmond, Osmond Ergonomics on 01 September 2023

    Sianna Spine DSCF3212

    Made to move

    Movement is essential for our back and general bodily health. Yet when we sit all day, we are often static. Safety Management visits a unique ergonomic furniture shop to find out if active sitting could prevent pain.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 01 September 2023

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