Safety Management Magazine opinions

Ben Pepper

Work-related road risk – steering clear of danger

Each day across the UK, millions of employees take to the roads as part of their working lives. Whether delivering parcels, attending client meetings or riding bicycles between jobs, road use plays a vital role in keeping businesses going. While the general health and safety landscape has evolved significantly over recent decades, work-related road risk (‘WRRR’) remains an area that is too often overlooked by employers.

By Ben Pepper, CL Medilaw on 30 October 2025

Meeting About Road Safety MED Istock 2159122673 Credit Skynesher

Driving accountability: why directors must own road risk

Successful management of occupational road risk is only possible if company directors take ownership of the process, setting expectations across the business, monitoring performance and setting a good example themselves.

By Simon Turner, Driving for Better Business on 30 October 2025

Daniel Easton

It is time to end the lottery of asbestos compensation

A legal anomaly that makes it more difficult for sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer to obtain compensation than people who have developed mesothelioma means large numbers of people are dying before receiving full compensation that could prove vital in the final months of their lives.

By Daniel Easton, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers on 30 October 2025

    Mike Robinson 3 Med

    Can we see the wood for the trees?

    Ten years ago, the United Nations’ General Assembly decreed that 20 March would be ‘International Day of Happiness’. You may have seen that Finland came out top as the happiest country in the world, for the sixth year running, in the World Happiness Report, based on the Gallup World Poll. Sadly, the UK dropped two places in the rankings to 19th, while the US rose by one place to 15th, and France fell out of the top 20.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 03 April 2023

    Asbestos Warning iStock Paul D Wade

    Asbestos management in UK buildings: data suggests serious failings

    A report into asbestos in UK buildings was published in November 2022 following a collaboration between the two asbestos consulting trade associations, ATaC (Asbestos Testing and Consulting) and NORAC (National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants).

    By Mick Dawson, Asbestos and Testing Consultancy Association on 03 April 2023

    Shelly Asquith

    Asbestos – we must get rid of it!

    It is a shame on our nation that we have the world’s highest rates of asbestos cancer. It is not a surprise, however, when you understand how many of our buildings are infested with the carcinogenic material.

    By Shelly Asquith, Trades Union Congress on 03 April 2023

    Jim Shannon MP 500 Min

    Preventing silicosis: key recommendations for government and HSE to consider

    By Jim Shannon MP on 01 April 2023

    Mike Robinson 240X240 Small

    Knowing the price of something does not tell you its value

    Why do we regulate? Had the Government started by asking this question, as it attempts to undertake the biggest ever overhaul of this country’s regulations, we might not be in the mess we now find ourselves in.

    By Mike Robinson FCA, British Safety Council on 01 March 2023

    Lord Hendy UK Parliament

    The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Repeal) Bill threatens to strip away vital health and safety rights and protections

    The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Repeal) Bill is a dreadful Bill in both form and content. As to form, the Bill is largely skeleton legislation which sets out no detail on its face but confers powers on ministers to alter existing law by statutory instruments.

    By Lord Hendy on 01 March 2023

    Samantha Peters

    In praise of nothing

    I’ve a colleague working in social care. Part of their week is spent at a community centre. It’s a challenging role. There’s no time for idleness. Nor would anyone advocate it, I imagine. But what about fallow? Rest. Respite.

    By Dr Samantha Peters, British Safety Council on 01 March 2023

    Hannah Frost Pinsent Masons

    Common safety pitfalls in manufacturing – what can we learn from recent prosecutions?

    By Hannah Frost, Solicitor, Pinsent Masons LLP on 01 March 2023

    Dr David Greenberg, Founder and director, Eave

    Why the UK’s noise regulations fall short in protecting workers’ hearing

    Although UK employers have long had a duty to prevent their employees suffering noise-induced hearing loss, a huge swath of workers continue to be exposed to loud noise at work, due to a combination of cultural, technological and regulatory failures.

    By Dr David Greenberg, Founder and director, Eave. on 01 March 2023

    Depressed Male iStock AntonioGuillem

    We need employers to do more to understand and tackle male suicide

    Since the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Issues Affecting Men and Boys was created nearly two years ago, a key area that its members wanted to focus on was improving men’s health and reducing male suicide. This includes identifying the causes and exploring solutions. These solutions are not limited to political actions, but also include ways that society, employers and men can make improvements.

    By Nick Fletcher, former Conservative MP for Don Valley on 01 February 2023

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