New research from Dräger finds that while 96% of employees feel safe at work, there are underlying issues that need to be addressed, such as inadequate training, outdated safety equipment, and poor psychological safety

65% of those surveyed for the Dräger Safety and Health at Work Report 2025, a study exploring attitudes to safety and health topics in UK workplaces, believe that a lack of psychological safety is contributing to physical safety risks in their workplace. Mental health and wellbeing issues are being seen as a lower priority compared to more ‘traditional’ health and safety issues.

There is also a growing concern that organisations are shifting too much responsibility for health safety on to individual employees rather than addressing systemic risks.

Meanwhile 73% indicate that safety training is simply a ‘tick box’ exercise, and 9% of workers said that they had had no safety training in the last five years.

Recent UK economic policy changes, particularly the increase in employer’s National Insurance (NI) contributions, are seen as likely to have a detrimental impact on safety in the workplace, with 77% saying that the recent changes to NI will impact health and safety budgets. This may be further exacerbated by the additional uncertainty created by US global policies in recent months. 66% say that they believe safety equipment in their company is inadequate, outdated or in need of repair.

Impact of AI

AI is seen as having potential to improve safety through automation and training simulations, with 44% of those surveyed believing it could reduce human error by automating repetitive safety checks. Other perceived benefits include improved employee training through immersive simulations, and identification and mitigation of potential hazards. However, 92% of respondents identify risks with AI implementation in the field of workplace safety in the next five years, with over-reliance on AI leading to complacency in safety practices (47%) seen as the leading concern, along with job losses, privacy concerns, and technical failures. There is a consensus that AI should support—not replace—human decision-making in safety-critical roles.

Despite an apparent significant focus by many businesses on the importance of sustainability, including in relation to health and safety procurement, there is a widespread belief that many companies are guilty of ‘greenwashing,’ undermining trust in sustainability and safety initiatives. While many firms show some progress in ESG areas like supply chain and energy use, few are seen as fully committed or transparent in their sustainability actions.

“We are observing the potential evolution of a cynical generation in the workplace – ‘Gen C’ – cynical about the intentions and motives of their employees, whether in providing safety training or in demonstrating their commitment to the environment,” the report comments.

Matthew Bedford, managing director, Draeger Safety UK Ltd commented, “The outlook for businesses continues to be extremely challenging, not least financially. However, it is vital that organisations also remain focused on fundamental issues such as the safety and wellbeing of their employees.

“My hope is that some of the issues highlighted in this year’s research will serve as a wake-up call to UK businesses.

“Despite the vast majority of people reporting that they do feel safe in their workplace, there are clear areas of dissatisfaction and cynicism across key areas which need addressing to prevent negative sentiment developing further."

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah along with government and private sector partners, is implementing the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign

Taking place from July to August under the theme “Your Safety is Our Priority,” the campaign coincides with the midday work ban, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm, from 15 June to 15 September to protect workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer months. The campaign aims to raise health awareness among outdoor workers and field personnel on the dangers of heat stress during the summer.

The campaign aims to reach 10,000 workers and has so far targeted more than 4,000 individuals across various sites in the emirate, with activities including lectures on heat stress, as well as free medical screenings and the distribution of preventive supplies to workers.

Field visits have also taken place, focusing on raising awareness among construction workers as well as employers about proper health practices during the summer and heat stress prevention.

The campaign also extends to workers at fuel stations, and public places as well as community members, including housewives and university students.

These activities aim to highlight the importance of health protection during the summer, promote a culture of healthy living that encourages positive behaviours, and encourage participants to share the knowledge and preventive measures with domestic helpers.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, director of MoHAP’s Representative Office in Sharjah, stressed that the campaign is a humanitarian initiative that embodies the values of social responsibility and contributes significantly to promoting health awareness across all segments of society, particularly among outdoor labourers.

He emphasised that the campaign supports government efforts to safeguard labour rights and ensure a healthy work environment, in accordance with WHO standards and the human-focused objectives of the Year of Community.

Partners supporting the campaign include the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah Sports Council, Labour Standards Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Prevention and Safety Authority, Sharjah Volunteering Centre, Sharjah Coop, Sharjah Charity International, the Friends of Kidney Patients Association, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Fast Building Contracting, Al Jaber Optical, Medcare Group, Aster DM Healthcare, Burjeel Specialty Hospital, NMC Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Life Pharmacy Group and Gaia Healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Labor has updated its policy on penalty and debt collection procedures with the aim of minimising the burden on small businesses and encouraging prompt action to address hazards

The new policy, outlined in the Penalties and Debt Collection section of OSHA’s Field Operations Manual, increases penalty reductions for small employers, making it easier for small businesses to invest resources in compliance and hazard abatement. For example, a penalty reduction level of 70%, which was previously only applicable for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, will now be extended to include businesses who employ up to 25 employees. The revisions also include new guidelines for a 15% penalty reduction for employers who immediately take steps to address or correct a hazard.

Additionally, the updated policy expands the penalty reduction for employers without a history of serious, willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate OSHA violations. Under OSHA’s revised policy, employers who have never been inspected by federal OSHA or an OSHA State Plan, as well as employers who have been inspected in the previous five years and had no serious, willful, or failure-to-abate violations, are eligible for a 20% penalty reduction.

The new policies are effective immediately, and investigations in which penalties have not yet been issued are covered by the new guidance.

OSHA retains the right to withhold penalty reductions where they do not advance the goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

"All employers should be offered the opportunity to comply with regulations that help maintain a safe working environment,” said deputy secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “Small employers who are working in good faith to comply with complex federal laws should not face the same penalties as large employers with abundant resources. By lowering penalties on small employers, we are supporting the entrepreneurs that drive our economy and giving them the tools they need to keep our workers safe and healthy on the job while keeping them accountable."