Safety Management health, safety, and wellbeing opinions

Workers in Hearing Protection iStock miniseries

Noise-induced hearing loss: time to make it personal?

This year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone in its long-standing mission to protect lives and improve workplace safety. 2025 is also the 20th anniversary of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005). It’s also now a year since I wrote an opinion piece for Safety Management arguing that we need to harness new technology to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).¹ So, what has happened in the meantime?

By Neal Hill, UKHCA on 28 February 2025

Mike Robinson 3 Med

Navigating a changing world

Human history has hung on a timeline of change and every generation has been asked to answer the same call, to adapt and evolve. From the printing press to the PC, change has continuously re-defined both the work we do and how we do it. Where the future differs from the past is the pace at which change will impact society.

By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 03 March 2025

Liz Saville Roberts UK Parliament

Why we need stronger legal protections to protect women against violence and harassment at work

Sexual harassment still happens in the workplace. As a Member of Parliament, I am determined to use my role to improve the experiences of women in all aspects of life.

By Liz Saville Roberts MP on 03 February 2025

    Gill 04

    Beyond compliance: why noise control must evolve beyond PPE

    Engineering solutions for noise control on plant, machinery and tools are often straightforward, low-cost and bring financial savings themselves, so it’s time employers moved away from the default position of purchasing and issuing personal hearing protection to workers.

    By Gill Cussons, Noise & Vibration Solutions on 13 March 2025

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    Navigating a changing world

    Human history has hung on a timeline of change and every generation has been asked to answer the same call, to adapt and evolve. From the printing press to the PC, change has continuously re-defined both the work we do and how we do it. Where the future differs from the past is the pace at which change will impact society.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 03 March 2025

    Workers in Hearing Protection iStock miniseries

    Noise-induced hearing loss: time to make it personal?

    This year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone in its long-standing mission to protect lives and improve workplace safety. 2025 is also the 20th anniversary of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005). It’s also now a year since I wrote an opinion piece for Safety Management arguing that we need to harness new technology to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).¹ So, what has happened in the meantime?

    By Neal Hill, UKHCA on 28 February 2025

    Older Female Worker iStock VioletaStoimenova

    An age diverse workforce – some key health and safety considerations

    As the proportion of older people in the workforce grows, it is vital employers take steps to assess and mitigate risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of older employees, such as a possible higher chance of musculoskeletal injury.

    By Liam Jagger, Pinsent Masons on 06 February 2025

    Liz Saville Roberts UK Parliament

    Why we need stronger legal protections to protect women against violence and harassment at work

    Sexual harassment still happens in the workplace. As a Member of Parliament, I am determined to use my role to improve the experiences of women in all aspects of life.

    By Liz Saville Roberts MP on 03 February 2025

    Woman Working From Home iStock Prathan Chorruangsak

    Why ‘return to the office’ mandates from UK Government agencies ignore the wellbeing, environmental and financial benefits of flexible working

    In the last half decade, the UK economy has stagnated, we’ve had a small recession, an inflation spike, Brexit, and a pandemic. All of this has affected the world of work, and workers’ living standards.

    By Fran Heathcote, Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union on 03 February 2025

    Retail Violence iStock Jiggo_thekop

    Violence against retail workers: a growing workplace crisis

    The festive and new year period is one of the busiest times of year for those working in retail, hospitality, and other customer-facing sectors. During this time of supposed good will and seasonal joy, we see a worrying rise in violent and abusive offences against retail workers.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 31 January 2025

    Happy Office workers iStock fizkes

    We need to reimagine the role of business in health to deliver a healthy future of work for all

    The UK is sick, and it’s getting sicker. We lag behind our international peers on critical health indicators like healthy life expectancy, avoidable mortality and obesity rates.

    By Dr Jamie O'Halloran, IPPR on 31 January 2025

    Acas winter blues iStock monkeybusinessimages

    Winter blues – how to support employee mental health

    The winter period can have a negative impact on employee mental health for a variety of reasons, but employers can support staff through these challenges by having ongoing open communication and honest conversations on how best to support their wellbeing.

    By Ruhel Ahmed, Acas on 10 January 2025

    Thumbs Up Race Equality iStock/PeopleImages

    Mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting: closing the gap towards race equality at work

    For nearly 30 years, Business in the Community (BITC) has been working with employers across the UK to help create a fairer world, where everyone feels valued and has equal opportunities for progression, regardless of their background. However, while we have seen many businesses taking vital steps in the right direction, there is still a long way to go before true race equality can be achieved at work and we are tapping into all the talent, skills and potential available. And every employer needs to play their part in getting there.

    By Sandra Kerr CBE, Business in the Community (BITC) on 09 December 2024

Subscribe