Health and Safety News

Careers in occupational safety and health

02-December

Health and safety is one of those careers people often “discover” rather than set out for from day one. That’s certainly true for me. Before stepping into this field, I’d done a bit of everything—bar work, delivery driving, ducting installation, marshalling at Glastonbury Festival, shifts in factories and warehouses, and even serving in the armed forces. At one point, I was juggling multiple part-time jobs just to keep things moving.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that all of those experiences were quietly giving me a foundation that would later turn out to be perfect for a career in health and safety: seeing how different workplaces operate, noticing what feels safe (and what definitely doesn’t), and understanding how people behave when things get busy, messy, or unpredictable.

How I Got Into Health and Safety

My path became more focused when I completed a degree in Environmental Health. That opened the door to more formal learning, including NEBOSH qualifications and various specialist courses. Since graduating and moving into health and safety roles full-time, I’ve continued building on that foundation with sector-specific training—working safely with cryogenic gases, laser safety, Radiation Supervisor training, Biological Safety Officer training, fire risk assessment, lead auditing, and more.

The learning really never stops in this field. And honestly, that’s part of what keeps it interesting. There’s always new technology, new guidance, and new ways of thinking about risk.

What Health and Safety Professionals Actually Do

Health and safety roles can look very different from one workplace to another, but the essence of the job stays pretty constant: you’re there to spot risks, help people work safely, and make sure the o…

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Tags job career safety health environment quality security

Safer, Smarter, Faster: The Top Three Benefits of Electronic Permit to Work Systems

22-May

Introduction
Effective work permit management is essential for maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Traditional paper-based Permit to Work (PTW) systems can be slow, inefficient, easily mislaid, and prone to error, contributing to serious safety risks.

A 2017 study published in the Chemical Engineering Transactions Journal found that permit system failures were a contributing factor in approximately 7% of over 600 process safety incidents recorded between 1990 and 2015. (Yan, C. K., Siong, P. H., Kidam, K., Ali, M. W., Hassim, M. H., Kamaruddin, M. J., & Kamarden, H. (2017). Contribution of Permit to Work to Process Safety Accident in the Chemical Process Industry. Chemical Engineering Transactions, 56, 883–888.)

To overcome these challenges, a growing number of organisations are turning to electronic Permit to Work (ePTW) systems to enhance visibility, streamline coordination, and strengthen safety practices. This article outlines three major benefits of adopting an ePTW system, with IAMTech’s iPermit serving as a case study.

1. Centralised Dashboards for Better Oversight

A core benefit of ePTW systems is centralised control. User Home Screens can provide a real-time overview of all active permits on-site through intuitive dashboards.

With iPermit, users benefit from an interactive ribbon tool that simplifies navigation. It allows them to organise and locate permits with ease, helping teams monitor progress from issue to completion without relying on outdated physical documents.

This centralisation enhances collaboration, reduces administrative effort, and speeds up response times, allowing personnel to focus on safety and execution.

2. Safer Management of Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS)

Overlapping permitted work in th…

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Enhancing Workplace Safety: Applying the COM-B Model for Effective Behaviour Change

12-March

Creating a safe and healthy workplace goes beyond setting rules—it requires developing behaviours that prioritise health and safety. The COM-B model provides a framework for understanding and influencing behaviour change, making it an excellent tool for improving workplace safety.

Understanding the COM-B Model

Developed by Susan Michie and colleagues in 2011, the COM-B model identifies three essential components that drive behaviour:

Capability (C): An individual's psychological and physical ability to engage in a behaviour. In workplace safety, this includes having the necessary knowledge, skills, and physical ability to follow safety procedures.
Opportunity (O): External factors that enable or encourage behaviour, such as access to safety equipment or a workplace culture that prioritises safety.
Motivation (M): Internal processes that influence decision-making, including habits, emotional responses, and conscious decision-making. Motivation determines whether someone will engage in a behaviour.

For a behaviour to occur, all three components must be present. Addressing each element helps create effective interventions to promote safer workplace practices.

Applying the COM-B Model to Health and Safety

To strengthen workplace health and safety, employers can implement strategies targeting each COM-B component:

1. Enhancing Capability

Training Programmes: Provide employees with thorough training on safety protocols, equipment use, and emergency procedures. Regular refresher courses help maintain competence.
Skill Assessments: Conduct regular evaluations to identify gaps in knowledge or ability, followed by targeted training.

2. Creating Opportunities

Accessible Safety Equipment: Ensure that employees…

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Tags workplace safety comb model behaviour change health and safety safety culture risk prevention employee wellbeing occupational health safety training workplace behaviour safety compliance behavioural science safety strategies

Drive Smart: Your Essential Guide to Safer Driving

20-January

Welcome to the #DriveSmart campaign, your go-to resource for practical tips and expert advice on becoming a more confident and safer driver. Whether you’re a seasoned motorist or just starting out on the road, our series of videos and blog posts is here to help you navigate the many challenges of driving.

Every week, we’ll cover a specific driving topic designed to sharpen your skills, boost your awareness, and keep you and others safe on the road. From navigating roundabouts to driving on icy roads, we’ve planned a year-long series of content to ensure there’s something valuable for every driver.

Why “Drive Smart”?

Driving isn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about doing so safely and responsibly. Unfortunately, even the best drivers can face unexpected hazards, whether it’s severe weather, distracted road users, or vehicle issues. The #DriveSmart campaign is here to empower you with knowledge and strategies that make a real difference behind the wheel.

Our mission is simple:

Help you improve your driving habits
Raise awareness of common road hazards
Provide practical advice to handle challenging conditions
Encourage safer, more mindful behaviour on the road

What to Expect from the Series

Every video in this series is designed to be short, engaging, and packed with actionable advice. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics we’ll cover:

Winter Driving Tips: Learn how to handle icy roads, reduce stopping distances, and stay in control during bad weather.
Defensive Driving: Anticipate the unexpected and develop skills to avoid potential accidents.
Vehicle Maintenance: Keep your car in top condition with essential checks, like the POWDERS method, before setting off.
Sharing the Road: …

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Tags drivesmart safe driving tips road safety defensive driving winter driving driving advice car maintenance vehicle safety driver education road awareness