50 years ago this year the Health and Safety at Work Act came into force and Liverpool consultancy Compliance Health and Safety warns against complacency and the challenges of new technology. Tony McDonough reports

Shortly after winning the General Election in 1974 the new Labour Government passed the Health and Safety at Work Act but it didn’t come into force until January 1, 1975.

Britain then was still a heavily industrialised society and people working in places such as factories and down coal mines faced significant risks every time they clocked on for a shift.

Since then, largely thanks to the Act, there has been a dramatic fall in deaths and serious injuries in the workplace. In 1974, 651 people died at work. In 2024 that figure had plummeted 80% to 138.

However, Liverpool consultancy Compliance Health and Safety, part of the Compliance Group, says that is still 138 too many and warns against complacency. It also highlights the need to become increasingly aware of the rise in mental health issues in the workplace.

Speaking on World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Monday, Compliance director Paul Spencer said: “During the last 50 years we have seen significant deindustrialisation in the UK. This means some of the more obvious dangers have receded but risks remain and the push for safer workplaces must continue.

“People working in construction still face significant risks. More recent legislation such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 have helped but it also makes compliance more complex and too often employers will look at ways to get around the regulations, rather than comply with them.”

Based in south Liverpool, Compliance is focused on the small to medium size business (SME) sector. In many cases SMEs cannot afford to employ full-time health and safety managers and Compliance can provide this essential function.

“Most small firms do not comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act,” added Paul. “The majority are aware of this and want to comply but they have concerns that once they attempt safety improvements they could be opening a can of worms and this could lead to bigger issues.

“What they want is some help without affecting the running of the core business. We are not a ‘jack of all trades and master of none’. All of our advisers are fully accredited and keep up to date with all relevant changes to regulation.

“And of the 90 experts listed on the UK’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register, four of them work here at Compliance.”

Technology and automation have undoubtedly helped to make workplaces safer. But automation also brings its own health and safety challenges.

Paul explained: “This is one area where complacency presents a real risk. Technologies such as automation or AI will inevitably reduce the need for human input. But things can still go wrong and there remains a need for vigilance rather than just ‘trusting the machine’.”

Of course, the risks to our health in the workplace aren’t just physical. Poor mental health at work costs UK employers an estimated £51bn every year. This manifests through absenteeism, poor performance, overworking and high staff turnover.

Three years on from the end of the COVID pandemic the dramatic effects on the workplace are still being felt. Working from home has become more prevalent, which presents its own challenges.

READ MORE: Cammell Laird wins contract to build two Scottish ferries

READ MORE: Government green lights £2bn Liverpool Bay carbon capture

“We are all still experiencing the fallout from the pandemic,” said Paul. “It created an era of uncertainty and led to a surge in anxiety across workplaces. It’s critical for employers to understand that risks to mental health must be taken as seriously as physical safety.

“No one should leave for work in the morning feeling anxious and no one should have to contemplate not coming home again. 50 years on, the Health and Safety at Work Act is as important as ever.”