Opinion

    Tess Headshot

    Flexible working: the right idea, but the wrong remedy

    The Government’s consultation on new flexible working rights closed last month – providing a clearer picture of the mechanism for the Labour Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver flexible working ‘by default’.

    By Tess Lanning, Timewise on 18 May 2026

    Melanie And Lynsey

    Why we need to make PPE Fit For All

    When we talk about personal protective equipment (PPE), we are talking about a worker’s last line of defence. If it fails, the worker is no longer protected from the hazards they face. This is why we say that all workers having PPE that fits their bodies isn’t just a matter of respect, it can quite literally be a matter of life and death.

    By Melanie Bartlett and Lynsey Mann, GMB Union on 12 May 2026

    Kirsteen Sullivan MP

    How do we fix ‘impersonal’ protective equipment?

    Personal protective equipment (PPE) came to widespread public consciousness when it became the final line of defence for not only those in care and health services, but also those in retail, education and visiting your vulnerable nan.

    By Kirsteen Sullivan MP on 05 May 2026

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    One size fits none: why inclusive safety matters

    Equality and inclusion are often discussed in workplaces as matters of culture or values. In health and safety, they are matters of life and death, health and dignity.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 05 May 2026

    Deborah Garlick Henpicked

    Why menstruation support matters at work

    Although forward-thinking organisations are increasingly taking action on menopause awareness and support at work, attention is now turning to menstrual health as the next essential step in building an inclusive, equitable and high-performing workplace.

    By Deborah Garlick, Menstruation Friendly by Henpicked on 30 April 2026

    Emma Tattersdill

    Managing hazardous waste: environmental regulation and practical tips for EHS managers

    A failure to properly classify, store, handle and dispose of hazardous waste can result in civil or criminal penalties. It is therefore essential that businesses have an appropriate management system to ensure waste is correctly identified, accompanied by the correct documentation and handled only by licensed contractors.

    By Emma Tattersdill, Bexley Beaumont law firm on 17 April 2026

    Chloe Alexander

    How PFAS has exposed the failings of our chemical safety laws and what can be done about it

    The recent documentary revealing alarmingly high levels of PFAS in the blood of residents from a Yorkshire town, reveals some of the real-life consequences of one of the biggest pollution crises of our time.

    By Chloe Alexander, Wildlife and Countryside Link on 16 April 2026

    Monica Burns

    Cooking without gas: induction’s safer, sustainable future for commercial kitchens

    With scientific evidence increasingly showing that gas cooking causes harmful indoor air pollution and contributes to climate change, it is vital that commercial kitchens globally switch to safe and clean electric cooking methods.

    By Monica Burns, Global Cooksafe Coalition on 15 April 2026

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    The long shadow of exposure: confronting the hidden burden of harmful substances

    In the sphere of workplace injuries, not all harm is immediate. Some of the most profound impacts on human health at work unfold slowly, out of sight and, seemingly, out of mind. Their effects accumulate and compound casting a long shadow over our working lives; one that may stretch years or decades beyond the initial point of exposure.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 14 April 2026

    Graham Peterson

    Air pollution: what about the workers?

    UK efforts to tackle air pollution have focused almost exclusively on public health and outdoor air quality, meaning the risks to workers from poor indoor air quality in workplaces have been seriously neglected.

    By Graham Petersen, Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) on 13 April 2026