Last month, I mentioned two big moments – the General Election and the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) on 31 July. The lack of attention given to health, safety, or even wellbeing by most political parties in their election manifestos, while not entirely unexpected, was disappointing. And it doesn’t reflect the real concerns of workers and leaders here and around the world.
By Mike Robinson FCA on 01 July 2024
In my previous piece for Safety Management last summer (‘A new Building Safety Remediation Scheme would hold developers and builders to account for all fire and building safety defects in homes’) I set the scene on the unfolding world of building safety remediation and described how I was attempting to change things in the interests of consumer safety. Now with a general election called, there is an opportunity to influence the policies of a new, incoming administration.
By The Earl of Lytton on 28 June 2024
It’s a simple, obvious truth: the cleaner the air we breathe, the healthier we are. Yet, most of us are inhaling pollution out in the streets as well as in the safety of our homes, offices, schools, hospitals and other buildings – without realising the damage it is causing to our health, nor that there are quick, easy solutions to clean the air and strengthen the health of our communities.
By Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE, Ella Roberta Foundation on 30 May 2024
E-scooters have become a common sight on UK roads over recent years. Not only are they used by individuals for short journeys or daily commutes, they are also now being ridden by takeaway drivers.
By Ben Pepper on 17 November 2021
This month, our founder James Tye would have celebrated his 100th birthday, on 21 December. In fact, James died a quarter of a century ago, though his legacy endures to this day – both in terms of what he achieved in his lifetime and the way the British Safety Council continues to take forward what he began.
By Mike Robinson on 09 November 2021
Broadly speaking, resilience refers to an organisation’s ability to adapt quickly and respond well to a crisis. That means being prepared to deal with an unforeseen or predictable event. This could be anything from your superstar employee moving to your competitor, new legislation forcing you to make sweeping changes to your products, or a major global health or economic crisis, like Covid.
By Mike Robinson FCA on 18 October 2021
In any given workplace, there’s a moment where a person can feel afraid to speak up. That moment of indecision is heightened for an employee who is Black, Asian, Mixed Race or of another ethnically diverse background. This can be challenging for allies too.
By Sandra Kerr CBE on 12 October 2021
“I wish there wasn’t so much emphasis on wellbeing at the moment.” That’s not really a phrase you expect to come across in conversation right now, is it? Surely, we want more emphasis not less? Naturally, I was a bit surprised to hear it from a friend.
By Samantha Peters on 11 October 2021
It’s my belief that it is the inalienable right for every person, in the UK and around the world, to breathe clean, unpolluted, and safe air. However, actions being taken by the UK government and across industry are falling far short of overcoming this global challenge.
By Barry Sheerman MP on 11 October 2021
Working with any gas and gas appliances can be inherently risky and unsafe, if not managed correctly.
By Emma Evans on 06 October 2021
Employers and various governments have known for some time that the UK needs to improve when it comes to having a more diverse workforce.
By Paul McFarlane on 05 October 2021
By Jack Alexander, project officer, Idling Action London on 01 October 2021
When a group of MPs (Members of Parliament) call for ‘precaution’ to address an unproven link between an exposure and a disease, it invites applause as well as healthy scepticism. Such a call prompts especially these two questions: (1) are the authors truly interpreting the science in a ‘precautionary’ way?; and (2) are they calling for specific action(s) that truly embody precaution?
By Professor Adam Finkel, University of Michigan School of Public Health on 14 September 2021
