As the Christmas Holidays become a distant memory and 2025 gets into gear, the business world is getting set for some big changes, especially in employment law. But what of Health and Safety? So without further ado, here are Croner’s predictions for what employers should keep tabs on regarding Health and Safety in the UK, throughout the year.
For more advice and guidance on how to keep your business compliant with the latest Health and Safety legislation, contact Croner’s advisor team today on 0808 501 6651.
Greater focus on mental health and well-being
Mental health will continue to gain prominence as a workplace health and safety issue, with more regulations encouraging businesses to adopt mental health policies. Naturally, this will incorporate an increase in the development of mental health first aiders and mandatory mental health awareness training for all employees. Whilst there has been an increase in return-to-office policies adopted by many big firms, the use of hybrid work policies to support work-life balance, will still be prevalent when it comes to the mental health of employees.
Enhanced use of technology and data
With an increasing number of businesses entering the digital sphere, it would come as no surprise that digital tools will play a larger role in health and safety compliance, training, and risk management. This includes the growth of wearable technology to monitor employee safety in high-risk environments (e.g., detecting fatigue) as well as the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics to predict and mitigate risks.
Combined with this we are likely to see a wider adoption of compliance management software to streamline documentation and audits.
Climate change and sustainability integration
With the recent instances of harsh conditions, we could well see environmental factors increasingly being tied to workplace health and safety responsibilities. This could mean new requirements for businesses to address climate-related risks, such as heatwaves, flooding, or air quality.
Stricter enforcement and penalties
The HSE and other regulatory bodies will likely adopt tougher stances on non-compliance, with higher fines and more frequent inspections. This could also extend to updated Sentencing Council guidelines, meaning a further increase in fines for breaches, especially for larger organisations.
Continued evolution of remote and hybrid work safety
Whilst there has been a focus over the last year or so, particularly amongst large corporate entities, to get staff back into the office, the Government’s Employment Rights Bill, coupled with an increased focus on mental health means that flexible working options like Hybrid systems become increasingly prevalent again.
As a result this means hybrid work safety frameworks will become more standardised, addressing both physical and ergonomic risks in remote settings. This could mean one or more of the following, being implemented:
- Updated guidance on home-office risk assessments.
- Clearer rules on employer responsibilities for remote workers.
- Use of technology to support virtual health and safety training.
Inclusion of AI and robotics regulations
AI has always been a hot-button topic and as a result it is likely that health and safety regulations will expand to address risks associated with AI and robotics in workplaces.
We could see the following implementations being introduced as a result:
- Policies on safe human-machine interaction in manufacturing and logistics.
- Risk assessments for AI-driven decision-making impacting worker safety.
Training and competency modernisation
Following on from both AI and the increased use of technology, it is likely that training delivery will shift further toward digital platforms, with immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) being widely adopted. We could well see software development including game-like e-learning platforms to improve engagement and retention.
Protect your business from breaches of Health and Safety law
Above all else this year it is paramount that business owners ensure they have a compliant Health and Safety policy, not only from a safety perspective but from a legal one. In severe cases of non-compliance, you could face criminal charges and a prison sentence.
Speak to an expert Health and Safety advisor at Croner to ensure your business is compliant with the latest legislation, today. Call 0808 501 6651.
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