Health and safety in 2025: 5 upcoming legislation changes and trends

As we approach 2025, the health and safety landscape in the UK is poised for significant change. Legislation is evolving to address new challenges, including shifts in workplace environments, advances in technology, and a heightened focus on sustainability and mental health. Staying informed is critical for organisations aiming to remain compliant and safeguard their workforce.

This article highlights five key areas where legislative and industry trends are set to shape health and safety in the coming year.

1. Construction and building safety

As one of the most hazardous industries¹, the construction sector will remain under scrutiny in 2025 as the government seeks to enhance safety measures. Several key developments are expected:

Grenfell Inquiry recommendations

As the Grenfell Tower Inquiry progresses, its recommendations will likely drive significant regulatory changes, particularly in fire safety management for high-rise buildings. Building owners and managers must prepare for increased oversight and stricter standards.

Unsafe cladding

Ongoing efforts to address unsafe cladding remain a priority. Stricter timelines for remediation and potential penalties for non-compliance are expected, impacting building owners and construction firms alike.

With updates to the Building Safety Act having already come into force in October 2023² and revisions to fire safety regulations on the horizon, organisations must ensure they are ready to meet these changes head-on.

Offsite construction

The rise of modular and prefabricated buildings is quickly revolutionising the construction process.³ By manufacturing building components in controlled environments and assembling them onsite, offsite construction reduces exposure to risks such as working at height or in extreme weather.

This approach not only enhances worker safety but also minimises site hazards like overcrowding, theft, and vandalism, while improving project efficiency and reducing environmental impact. While these methods can improve efficiency, they introduce unique safety considerations, such as site assembly risks and transport logistics, which may influence safety guidelines in the future.

2. Home and flexible working

The concept of the workplace has shifted dramatically in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing desire for more flexible working. As home and flexible working become standard, health and safety legislation continues to evolve each year to keep pace.

Employers are increasingly responsible for assessing risks associated with remote work, including workstation ergonomics (DSE – Display Screen Equipment assessments), mental wellbeing, and even home electrical safety.⁴

Anticipated potential updates to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 could clarify employer obligations in non-traditional work environments, emphasising the need for thorough risk assessments and tailored safety measures.⁵

3. Mental health

The growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of workplace safety is influencing legislative priorities, as we saw earlier in 2024 when the new Labour Government set out their plans to wake workplaces more secure to encourage people to thrive.⁶

In 2025, we may see employers held to higher standards for mental health support, with potential updates to the Equality Act to enforce parity between mental and physical health considerations.

Proactive initiatives such as employee assistance programmes, training for line managers, and accessible counselling services will be increasingly vital for compliance and workforce wellbeing.

4. Technology

Technology continues to transform the health and safety landscape, with artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable tech leading the charge.

AI and predictive analytics

AI is becoming a critical tool for identifying potential safety hazards before they escalate. By analysing workplace data, AI can predict risks like equipment failure or unsafe behaviours, allowing for timely interventions, for example, machine learning algorithms in manufacturing facilities to monitor equipment performance. By analysing data from sensors embedded in machinery, AI can identify patterns that indicate potential equipment failures before they occur.

For instance, if a machine shows subtle increases in vibration or temperature outside normal parameters, AI can flag these as warning signs. Maintenance teams can then address the issue pre-emptively, avoiding potential breakdowns that could lead to accidents or production delays.

Fatigue detection systems

In high-risk industries like transportation and construction, fatigue monitoring technology is gaining traction, helping to prevent accidents by identifying early signs of fatigue in employees.

We’ve seen examples of this in the transportation sector, where in-cab fatigue monitoring systems are increasingly used for drivers. These systems employ cameras and sensors to track eye closure rates, head movements, and facial expressions. If signs of fatigue are detected, the system triggers alerts, such as audible warnings or vibrations in the driver’s seat, to encourage immediate corrective actions like pulling over for rest.⁷

Wearable tech

Devices such as smart helmets and health-monitoring wearables are empowering workers to monitor their safety in real time. Wearable devices can monitor physiological indicators associated with fatigue, such as heart rate variability, eye movement, and even body temperature.

For example, new smart helmets can ‘detect and record impacts and falls, and automatically call for help if needed’. Such technologies are expected to become available in the UK in 2025.⁸

5. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental sustainability

The lines between corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and health and safety are becoming increasingly intertwined as we enter an increasingly climate-conscious era. Organisations are expected to take a more holistic approach, recognising that environmental and social initiatives directly impact workplace safety.

For example, in the renewable energy sector, ensuring safe working conditions during the installation and maintenance of wind turbines or solar panels is paramount. Additionally, legislative efforts may focus on linking sustainability targets with employee wellbeing, further emphasising the interconnected nature of these priorities.

These efforts can enhance compliance and foster safer, more responsible workplaces, with this natural shift highlighting how companies are recognising the advantages of looking beyond their core requirements.

Summary

The health and safety landscape in 2025 will be shaped by advancements in construction safety, flexible working, technology, mental health awareness, and sustainability. For organisations, staying ahead of the curb with any potential changes is not just about compliance—it’s about creating safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces.

Businesses should act now to review their health and safety policies, assess their readiness for upcoming legislative changes, and seek expert guidance where necessary.