Report: Leadership Knowledge Gaps in Health and Safety Uncovered

According to the latest Safety Culture Maturity Report 2024 from Safe365, it has become glaringly evident that senior leadership in UK organisations currently possesses only a basic understanding of safety and risk management. The report reveals that these leaders have an average maturity score of just 44% in risk management expertise. This lack of deep understanding is a major concern, especially given the alarming statistics on workplace safety.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that over 60,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries last year, while nearly a million experienced work-related stress or anxiety. The financial impact of workplace injuries alone is estimated to cost the UK economy around £7.7 billion annually.

Dr. Simon Joyston-Bechal, a specialist health and safety lawyer at Turnstone Law, highlighted the critical nature of the issue. “Poor understanding in the boardroom concerning directors’ personal criminal law obligations is still letting down many organisations,” he noted. “With the Health & Safety Executive expected to enforce regulations more vigorously under the new government, it is crucial for directors to recognise that they could face personal criminal prosecution and potential jail sentences if they do not meet the expected level of proactive engagement in their role.”

The Safety Culture Maturity Report assessed various aspects of health and safety, including data collection, manager knowledge, worker and contractor engagement, and emergency preparedness. The findings revealed significant gaps, particularly in emergency preparedness, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being 17% less prepared compared to their larger counterparts.

Industry-specific weaknesses were also noted. Sectors such as IT and Media (41%), Arts and Recreation (42%), and Public Service (42%) were identified as having the lowest performance maturity. In contrast, industries like Mining (57%), Utilities (56%), and Professional Services (55%) demonstrated higher levels of maturity.

Nathan Hight, co-founder of Safe365, emphasised the need for a shift in how health and safety is addressed at the highest levels. “Although many business leaders understand health and safety governance and legal obligations, our research shows there’s still work to do to ensure health and safety becomes a boardroom-level conversation,” he said. “To protect UK workers effectively, organisations must move beyond merely ticking health and safety boxes and instead work collectively to drive nationwide improvements in safety and risk management.”

The impact of insufficient safety measures is personal for Jason Anker MBE, Chairman and Director of Anker & Marsh, who experienced life-changing spinal injuries from a workplace accident. “As employees, we trust that the right workplace environments are in place to keep us safe,” Jason remarked.

“However, this research shows that processes and procedures alone are not enough. Safety needs to be embedded in workplace culture, starting from the top. This cultural shift could protect myself and the 60,000 other UK employees who fall victim to workplace accidents and injuries each year.”

The report and statements highlight an urgent need for senior leaders to elevate their understanding and commitment to health and safety. By embedding safety into the very fabric of organisational culture, we can better safeguard workers across the UK and significantly reduce the incidence of workplace injuries and related costs.

The full report can be found here.

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