Health & Safety in 2025: The Biggest Changes You Need to Know!

Workplace safety isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about keeping people safe, businesses compliant, and avoiding costly penalties. As 2025 unfolds, new health and safety regulations are coming into effect, alongside fresh insights from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that highlight key trends in workplace injuries, ill health, and emerging risks.

So, what’s changed? What’s next? And how can you prepare? Let’s dive into the latest updates and what they mean for you.

1. Work-Related Illness & Injuries: The Latest Stats

The HSE’s 2023/24 report is out, and the numbers highlight ongoing risks:

• 1.7 million workers suffered from work-related ill health last year
• 776,000 cases were due to stress, depression, or anxiety, showing that mental health in the workplace remains a critical issue
• 138 workplace fatalities, with falls from height being the leading cause of death
• £21.6 billion – the estimated cost of workplace injuries and ill health in 2023/24

Businesses can expect increased regulatory scrutiny, especially in high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing, with a focus on mental health, stress prevention, and workplace safety.

If you need accredited training to meet compliance requirements, ESS Training Hub offers a range of industry-approved courses to help businesses stay compliant.

2. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): A Growing Workplace Concern

The HSE’s latest data highlights musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as a major workplace risk:

• 543,000 workers suffered from work-related MSDs last year
• 7.8 million working days were lost due to MSD-related absences
• Manual handling injuries remain a top concern, affecting industries from construction to office environments

The HSE is increasing its focus on ergonomics, manual handling training, and risk assessments. Employers need to proactively address MSD risks to avoid enforcement action.

Key actions:

• Review manual handling risk assessments
• Ensure staff receive updated manual handling training
• Implement workplace ergonomics best practices

For more details, visit HSE’s MSD Risk Reduction Guidance.

Manual Handling: A Critical Workplace Safety Focus

Manual handling is a key factor in workplace injuries, particularly in industries such as construction, warehousing, and healthcare. The HSE provides guidance to help employers manage these risks effectively.

Employers should:

• Regularly assess lifting and carrying tasks to reduce injury risks.
• Train staff in safe manual handling techniques to ensure compliance with workplace safety standards.
• Ensure proper use of lifting aids and personal protective equipment (PPE).

For free resources on best practices, see:

• Manual Handling at Work: A Brief Guide
• Manual Handling: Guidance on Regulations

To ensure your workforce is trained and compliant, explore ESS Training Hub for industry-specific courses.

3. Regulatory Updates for 2025: What You Need to Know

Building Safety Reforms Following Grenfell

The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 led to a major overhaul of building safety regulations. In 2025, several key changes under the Building Safety Act 2022 will take effect, focusing on fire safety, accountability, and regulatory enforcement across the construction and property sectors.

Key Updates:

• New Building Registration Requirements – Buildings between 11 to 18 meters in height must now be registered and comply with stricter safety rules.
• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) – All high-rise buildings over 18 meters, and some between 11-18 meters, must have tailored evacuation plans for vulnerable residents.
• Cladding Remediation Enforcement – A new enforcement unit has been established to speed up the removal of hazardous cladding and hold responsible parties accountable.

These reforms aim to prevent future tragedies by improving building safety transparency, resident protection, and fire risk management.

How to Stay Compliant with the New Building Safety Regulations

To help businesses prepare for these regulatory changes, professionals in the construction and property sectors should understand the new legal responsibilities and compliance measures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers a specialist training course on the Building Safety Act and the Building Safety Regulator, covering:

• The role of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and its enforcement powers
• Dutyholder responsibilities under the new building safety framework
• Legal obligations and compliance measures for businesses affected by the new rules

For more details and to book a place, visit HSE’s Introduction to the Building Safety Regulator and Building Safety Act Course.

By staying informed and investing in the right training, businesses can ensure compliance, improve workplace safety, and effectively manage risks associated with building regulations.

Machinery Compliance: UKCA Mark Requirement from January 2025

From January 1, 2025, all new machinery placed on the market in Great Britain must carry the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark. Machinery with only a CE mark will no longer be accepted.

This requirement applies to:

• All new machinery sold, imported, or manufactured in Great Britain
• Equipment that previously only had CE marking

What this means for businesses:

• Ensure all new machinery meets UK safety standards and is correctly marked before purchase.
• Check for UKCA certification when importing or buying machinery to avoid compliance issues.
• Manufacturers may use both CE and UKCA marks if selling in both the UK and EU, but UKCA is mandatory for Great Britain.

For full compliance details, visit HSE’s machinery guidance.

Silica Dust Exposure: New Measures for Stone Worktop Installers

Silica dust remains a serious health hazard in stone cutting and construction. The HSE has released new guidelines to help reduce exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), which is a major cause of lung disease.

For more details, see HSE’s New Silica Dust Guidance.

If your business involves cutting, grinding, or working with stone, you need to adopt these new safety measures to protect workers. One essential step is ensuring employees are using tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) correctly.

To meet compliance requirements and improve workplace safety, consider Face Fit Train the Tester (Qualitative) training. This course enables employers to conduct in-house face fit testing, ensuring RPE provides the necessary protection against silica dust exposure.

4. Mental Health in the Workplace: A Bigger Focus Than Ever

With stress, anxiety, and depression accounting for nearly half of all work-related illnesses, workplace mental health is now a top priority for regulators.

HSE inspectors are actively checking how employers manage workplace mental health risks.

Key actions:

• Create clear mental health policies
• Conduct stress risk assessments
• Train managers and staff in mental health awareness

Failing to address workplace mental health could lead to compliance issues, increased workplace absences, and reduced productivity.

One way to ensure your team is prepared to identify, support, and manage mental health concerns is through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training. This course equips individuals with the skills to support colleagues struggling with mental health challenges, helping to create a healthier and more resilient workforce.

5. How to Stay Compliant in 2025

To ensure compliance and workplace safety, businesses should:

• Stay updated – Regularly check HSE announcements for new regulations
• Invest in training – Whether it’s manual handling, mental health awareness, or construction safety, training is key
• Conduct regular risk assessments – Identify hazards before they become serious risks
• Prioritise worker well-being – Address mental health and musculoskeletal risks proactively

Final Thoughts: Safety is More Than Compliance – It’s About Protecting Lives

Workplace safety isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s essential for protecting lives.

With new regulations, stricter enforcement, and evolving safety priorities, 2025 is a year for businesses to strengthen their health and safety policies.

For full details on all the latest changes, visit the official HSE website.

To ensure your workforce is trained, qualified, and compliant, explore our specialist training solutions:

• Essential Site Skills – A leading provider of health & safety, construction, and workplace training across the UK, supporting businesses with accredited qualifications and workforce development.
• ESS Training Hub – A specialist training marketplace, connecting businesses with industry-approved courses from accredited providers. Find and book the right training solutions quickly and easily, ensuring your workforce remains compliant.
• Essential Green Skills – Providing insights into sustainability, green workforce skills, and environmental best practices for businesses in the construction and energy sectors.

By prioritising training, compliance, and worker well-being, businesses can create safer, more sustainable workplaces while staying ahead of evolving health & safety regulations in 2025.