Safety Management Magazine opinions

    Sophie Vipond Landscape 1 Hair Up 396A8972

    The climate has changed – now workplace safety must adapt

    Here in the UK, we are already living with the consequences of climate change. We’ve recently had repeated heatwaves, which followed heavy rainfall and flooding across many parts of the country earlier this year. Climate change is shaping the conditions in which we live and work today. Climate change is most definitely a workplace-safety issue.

    By Sophie Vipond, Climate Change Committee on 28 July 2026

    Alba Fuertes

    Heat exposure in construction: managing an emerging health and safety risk

    For many years, hot weather in the UK construction sector was treated largely as a comfort issue, something to manage with extra water breaks and a shaded rest area.

    By Dr Alba Fuertes, University of Reading on 28 July 2026

    Julie Riggs Photo

    Why safety professionals must step up to ensure the fair roll-out of new tech

    Technology like AI has great potential to improve workplace safety, but it could also negatively affect wellbeing through excessive monitoring of work performance or personal health parameters, reaching inaccurate conclusions without sufficient human oversight and analysis. Safety professionals are, however, uniquely placed to ensure new tech is used ethically, fairly and in ways that genuinely support employee safety and health.

    By on 21 July 2026

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    AI, big tech, and the dignity deficit hiding in plain sight

    Much of the conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work is framed as a question of tomorrow. How will AI reshape entire industries in the years and decades to follow?

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 08 July 2026

    David Sharp 2025 2100X2100 Square Hires Cropped

    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 06 July 2026

    Joseph Evans Edited

    Why AI presents benefits and risks for jobs, wellbeing and society

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to radically transform the way we work. Public debate has largely focused on the prospect of AI automating human jobs, but in the here and now it’s more likely that AI will change the day-to-day experience of work than replace humans altogether.

    By Joseph Evans, IPPR on 30 June 2026

    Michael Hough

    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 Foundation on 08 June 2026

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    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

    John Kushnick Pic

    “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 John Kushnick, National Accident Helpline on 03 June 2026

    Manal Azzi ILO

    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