The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is emphasising workplace health as part of its inspection process. It is particularly concerned about the health impact of manual handling, display screens, noise, mental health, and stress.
Recent HSE data reveal that 1.9 million workers suffered from work-related illness in the 2024/25 period, an increase of 200,000 compared to the previous year. Over 30 million workdays were lost, costing an estimated £14 billion. In 2024, there were 246 criminal prosecutions by the HSE for health and safety breaches. Fines totalling £33 million were imposed, half of which were for workplace health cases.
The HSE routinely inspects workplaces for accident risks but has traditionally paid less attention to health risks. It now aims to focus as much on health risks as it does on safety.
The manufacturing organisation MakeUK notes that health risks are less obvious than safety issues and are more challenging to address.
Chris Newson, Director of Environment, Health & Safety at Make UK says that he welcomes the move by HSE to make workplace health as important as safety. He notes that failure to address health issues will make businesses liable to prosecution or even shutdown, whilst issues are being resolved.
Workplaces that use manual handling equipment made by a UK-based warehouse equipment manufacturer can reduce musculoskeletal health risks by purchasing ergonomically designed picking trolleys, box trolleys and other handling equipment that make it easy to move items without strain. Operators of manual handling equipment should also be well-trained in their safe use.
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