Learning that saves lives
Success can sometimes be a problem. The better we become at preventing incidents, the harder it can be to see what is actually preventing them.
By Mike Robinson, chief executive, British Safety Council on 11 September 2026
Opinion
Migraine in work: a test of the Government’s plans to Keep Britain Working
Migraine can have a profound, and often avoidable, impact on people’s working lives and careers. The Government’s growing focus on workplace health offers an important opportunity to change this, but only if this common, often disabling and frequently invisible neurological condition is properly understood and addressed by Government, the NHS and employers.
By Rob Music, The Migraine Trust on 07 September 2026
Heat at work: why Britain needs stronger protections for a hotter future
With rising temperatures posing a growing health risk to UK workers, the TUC is calling for HSE guidance to be updated to require employers to take specific steps to protect workers' wellbeing when temperatures exceed pre-set trigger points.
By Huma Haq, TUC on 01 August 2026
It’s the autonomy, stupid
Algorithmic management is reshaping how work gets done. But protecting the health and wellbeing of workers requires more than good technology – it calls for genuine respect for autonomy and thoughtful change management. Long-standing OSH guidance can help.
By David Sharp, International Workplace on 26 June 2026
Supporting mental health at work: actions we need from the Government
The workplace is one of the main fronts in the battle against mental ill health and the current mental health crisis. Work takes up a significant portion of our day-to-day lives, and being in secure, paid employment at a workplace that values the health of employees makes a hugely positive difference to our mental health.
By Michael Hough, Mental Health Foundatio on 08 June 2026
Holistic health: the foundations of future prosperity
Much of today’s debate about economic growth revolves around familiar pressures: economic inactivity, labour shortages, stagnant productivity, and the challenge of remaining competitive in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 04 June 2026
“Claims like these help raise the profile of health and safety”
How does a personal injury lawsuit differ from a workplace safety investigation? In light of Stephen Fry’s claim over his 2023 stage fall, John Kushnick, legal director at the National Accident Helpline, highlights the key differences between civil and criminal safety law, from the power of a risk assessment to proving contributory negligence.
By Belinda Liversedge on 03 June 2026
Psychosocial risks at work: why they must be treated as core occupational safety and health hazards
For decades, occupational safety and health systems have focused on preventing physical harm at work. This focus has saved lives and significantly reduced workplace accidents. However, one of the most significant sources of harm in today’s workplaces remains under-recognised: psychosocial risks.
By Manal Azzi, International Labour Organization (ILO) on 03 June 2026
Managing mental health, wellbeing and stress at work: is there an ever-emerging enforcement risk?
Recent high-profile HSE enforcement action on work-related stress suggests we are beginning to see a shift from guidance to regulatory action, making it essential employers ensure they are adequately managing the causes of stress and poor mental wellbeing at work.
By Emma Evans, Bexley Beaumont law firm on 02 June 2026
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, director of programmes, Timewise on 18 May 2026
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
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
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
