The Health & Safety Event 2026

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is most effective when it is worn correctly, consistently, and designed to work as a complete system. In today’s workplaces, employees rarely face a single hazard at a time-meaning multiple types of PPE must function together without compromising comfort, communication, or performance. This session will introduce the 3M Integrated Protection Programme, a practical approach that helps organisations reduce the challenges workers experience when combining different PPE solutions. Attendees will learn how integrated technologies, thoughtful product selection, and validation through fit testing can support greater comfort and compatibility, helping to encourage continuous use throughout the shift.

This session positions mental health and wellbeing as a leadership and organisational risk issue, not just an individual concern. Drawing on his experience at Unilever and his global advocacy work, Geoff McDonald explores why mental health must be embedded into organisational strategy, culture and governance.

Delegates will gain insight into how leadership behaviours, psychological safety and purpose influence wellbeing, safety and performance - and why tackling stigma and enabling people to speak up is essential for resilient, high-performing organisations.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how organisations identify risk, monitor compliance and improve safety performance - but what does this mean in practice for OSH professionals?

This session draws on insights from Phoenix Health & Safety’s exclusive NEBOSH Verified Artificial Intelligence - Application in OSH course, to offer attendees a clear, real-world perspective on how AI can be integrated into existing safety strategies to support proactive risk management.

It will provide an overview of current AI applications including predictive risk analytics, intelligent safety management systems and emerging technologies such as computer vision and wearables. Key considerations around governance, ethics and responsible implementation will also be considered.

What makes some safety leaders more effective at engaging their teams and sustaining safer behaviours? In this 30‑minute discussion, we’ll explore that question by reviewing a detailed leadership assessment with a senior safety professional. The tool provides a nuanced view of leadership behaviours and decision-making styles—highlighting how these patterns shape safety culture from the top down.

Drawing parallels to tools like the Saville Wave but tailored specifically to health and safety competencies, the discussion will reveal how this kind of analysis can help leaders understand not only their own style and motivators, but how their approach influences team cohesion, communication, and performance.  Participants will gain insight into how leadership assessments can be used both for personal growth and for strategically shaping high-performing safety teams—identifying development needs, improving collaboration, and informing future recruitment and talent planning. Expect a practical, reflective conversation that invites you to consider what your own leadership profile might reveal about the culture you create.

Selecting the right mask is only the beginning. Are you confident your equipment is being worn correctly, maintained, and stored safely? Is training up to date?

This session will provide an overview of an RPE audit, helping you turn your RPE provision into a RPE Programme that is structured and robust enough to enable you to demonstrate both protection and compliance.

Occupational health and safety is still a relatively new profession, but nonetheless there is a huge quantity of information written about it. Lots of guidance, case studies, and opinions about what good looks like. Even for a specialist consideration like lone working. If we were to strip back all of that “noise”, what foundations would we find? In his keynote speech,

Duncan Spencer will challenge us to consider the answers to the following questions:

• How do the principles of good occupational safety and health relate to lone workers?
• How do they influence the creation and use of lone working policy and effective risk control?
• What are the challenges of extending the principles to cover wellbeing and mental health challenges for lone workers?

Drivers aged 17–24 are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than other age groups, making young driver risk a critical issue for employers.
This session explores how organisations can better understand and manage the risks associated with graduates, apprentices and other young people who drive for work.

Drawing on real employer case studies, it will highlight the scale of the challenge and show how early, targeted intervention can deliver significant improvements in safety.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into identifying risk, supporting young and novice drivers, and taking simple, effective steps to build a safer driving culture.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a critical role in safeguarding workers across sectors but it also represents one of the most challenging waste streams to manage sustainably. Our panel brings together leaders from across the industry to explore how circular economy principles are reshaping the future of PPE.

Together, the speakers will examine the full lifecycle of PPE, from material selection and design to scalable reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing models. They’ll discuss emerging technologies, risks and opportunities within the supply chains, the role of procurement in driving market change, and how the practical, regulatory and behavioural barriers can be overcome through creative systems thinking and collaboration.

Health & Safety professionals are increasingly expected to manage complex industrial hygiene risks such as noise, vibration, and dust, often using fragmented data from multiple sources. Traditional monitoring methods can make it difficult to gain a clear, timely picture of worker exposure across roles, tasks, and environments.

This session explores how connected technology is enabling a more integrated approach by bringing multiple exposure data streams into a single, unified view — a “single pane of glass” for workplace risk. By combining real time monitoring with connected analytics, Health & Safety teams can move beyond disconnected datasets to gain clearer visibility of exposure patterns as work takes place.

The discussion will touch on evolving approaches to vibration management, including emerging 2026 considerations for HAVS and forthcoming ISO guidance, and how regular, task level exposure data is influencing how organisations monitor and manage risk.

 Attendees will gain insight into how connected ecosystems and collaboration with industry leaders in noise and dust monitoring are supporting more informed decision making for Health & Safety and industrial hygiene teams alike.

In UK construction, workplace injuries and work-related ill health lead to 2.2 million working days lost every year, costing the sector around £1.4 billion annually. In times of economic uncertainty, the challenge for construction isn’t whether to invest in safety – it’s how to make it a critical enabler of operational and financial performance. In this panel, EcoOnline’s VP of Global Solutions Consulting, Justin Ibbs, will moderate a discussion with senior safety professionals from leading construction organisations on how safety culture drives productivity, operational efficiency, and long-term growth.

The panel will discuss:

• Programmes they’re introducing to enhance safety culture for today’s workforce
• Focusing on leading indicators to unlock new aspects of safety effectiveness
• How connected safety solutions give a holistic view of operations and risk
• Practical routes to engage workers with safety initiatives
• The impact of safety and engagement on productivity and retention
• How they demonstrate the commercial value of safety to the wider business

Understand why sexual harassment remains a pervasive risk across sectors and for lone workers.

• Learn how awareness, early reporting, and a culture of zero tolerance can drive real change.
• Explore how digital tools like Hollie Guard can empower and enable discreet alerts, capture admissible evidence, and connect users to 24/7 police-approved support.

Join PanicGuard to learn how education + technology work together to prevent incidents and hold perpetrators accountable.

Effective environmental management reduces exposure to pollutants, hazardous materials, and unsafe conditions, creating cleaner, safer, and more sustainable workplaces. By controlling waste, emissions, and resource use, organisations not only protect ecosystems but also prevent health hazards such as respiratory problems, chemical exposure, and accidents.

Learn how environmental stewardship strengthens occupational health and safety systems, fostering a culture of responsibility and long-term well-being.  This event will include two inspiring case studies on the synergies between health and safety and good environmental practice.

Psychosocial risk assessment can be delivered in several ways, and existing engagement data does not always cover all regulatory requirements. This joint session uses a live case study from Eurotunnel to explore pragmatic choices in building a robust psychosocial risk assessment across the UK and France. It examines how targeted survey tools, facilitated employee engagement, and existing engagement data can be combined to create a proportionate, defensible assessment that meets legal and regulatory expectations while remaining practical for complex organisations.

Lone working can increase the risk of sexual harassment, and it is by no means the only risk factor - but knowing the risk is just the first step. How do you turn awareness into real, actionable protection for your people?

• Explore the prevalence and risk factors of sexual harassment in UK workplaces
• Explore key legislation and your organisation’s legal responsibilities, including those associated with ‘third-party’ risks
• Gain a clear, step-by-step framework to protect, empower, and support your workforce

Join Nicole Vazquez to walk away with practical strategies you can implement, creating a safer, more supportive workplace for all.

How TotalEnergies has reimagined how quality and safety workflows are managed across their operations.

This session will take you behind the scenes of their transformation:

• The Challenge: Manual, fragmented processes for approvals, compliance, and complaint handling, slowing responsiveness and collaboration.
• The Journey: The decision to digitise with Bizzmine, enabling automation, centralised visibility, and structured collaboration.
• The Implementation: How TotalEnergies rolled out customisable workflows that fit their organisational needs and drove change management.
• The Impact: Automated reminders and notifications reduce administrative burden. Greater transparency and accountability foster teamwork. Faster, more structured issue resolution improves customer satisfaction.

Through this real-world case, attendees will gain practical insights into how digital transformation in QHSE can increase efficiency, strengthen compliance, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

• Digitise to Accelerate: Replacing manual processes with automated workflows speeds up quality and safety operations.
• One Platform, One Truth: Centralised visibility builds accountability and teamwork across departments.
• Automation Frees People: Reminders and notifications reduce admin work so teams can focus on high-value tasks.
• Better Processes: Structured workflows lead to faster issue resolution and stronger customer satisfaction. Custom Fit for Real Impact: Flexible, intuitive workflows ensure adoption and lasting results.

The 2026 updates to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 represent a significant shift in how businesses will approach quality and environmental management. By preparing early, organisations can turn compliance into a competitive advantage, ensuring they meet future regulatory demands while driving operational excellence. 

Wherever you are on your journey to certification, this session will help you stay informed, compliant, and ahead of the curve.  

Join Garrett Byrne - Intertek Technical Director, for a practical overview of the key changes in ISO 14001:2026, what we know so far about the changes to ISO 9001:2026, and what they mean for your company. 

Topics will include: 

• The major updates and new requirements  
• How the changes may impact your organisation and certification 
• Practical steps to prepare for a smooth transition 
• What auditors are likely to focus on under the revised standard 

Drivers aged 17–24 are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than other age groups, making young driver risk a critical issue for employers.
This session explores how organisations can better understand and manage the risks associated with graduates, apprentices and other young people who drive for work.

Drawing on real employer case studies, it will highlight the scale of the challenge and show how early, targeted intervention can deliver significant improvements in safety.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into identifying risk, supporting young and novice drivers, and taking simple, effective steps to build a safer driving culture.

Join JSP Ltd, the UK and Europe's leading manufacturer of head protection, to explore what the new industrial and electrical helmet standards mean in practice.

In what is arguably the most significant update to industrial head protection in decades, the current standard for Industrial Safety Helmets in Europe and the UK (EN 397:2012+A1:2012) is set to be replaced by EN 397:2025, alongside updates to the electrical insulation helmet standard (EN 50365).

The new standards introduce defined helmet Types, enhanced compatibility testing, and clearer performance requirements—improving how helmets function alongside other PPE such as visors, face shields, ear defenders, and electrical protection systems.

As a result, these changes are likely to require a review of workplace risk assessments to ensure your selected helmet continues to provide the correct level of protection.

Join Matthew Judson from JSP Ltd to learn more about how these changes will impact your PPE selection, compliance requirements, and the practical steps you can take.

Lone Worker Risks 2026: What’s Changing and How to Stay Ahead

• Explore how evolving work patterns are reshaping the safety, security, and wellbeing risks faced by lone workers across different sectors
• Understand how exactly lone working should be addressed in your risk management systems.

Come along to hear expert guidance from Nicole Vazquez on future-proofing your approach to lone worker protection

Full of practical tips, Robert will share steps for safer travel, and explore the importance of heightened awareness, the power of confident body language and recognising and responding effectively when something feels "off." 

Robert will also explore what to do and how to seek help in a threatening situation, this session will give you plenty food for thought.

Based on their latest research, EcoOnline will explore the evolving landscape of risk for lone workers - from extreme weather and cyber threats, to increases in aggression and violence.

You will learn how technology can improve preparedness and response, stopping risks from becoming crises.

Walkaway with seven actionable steps for zero harm readiness.

In this session, Sean Elson from Pinsent Masons will explore the evolving legal landscape surrounding workplace wellbeing and mental health. Drawing on insights from UK regulators and developments in other jurisdictions, the session will examine how guidance and health and safety management standards are shaping employer responsibilities. Sean will also address the challenges posed by remote working and what these mean in practice. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how employer duties around psychological safety are evolving, and why it is essential to be part of this shift as the world of work continues to change.

PPE that does not perform is dangerous.  Users put themselves into hazardous situations thinking they are protected when they are not.  Employers are legally responsible for supplying suitable PPE to their employees that will perform when needed.  It is therefore imperative that specifiers and buyers of PPE discharge their duties from a position of knowledge.  John Hooker will give an overview of the current UK PPE marketplace, experiences from voluntary surveillance activities, updates on developing legislation and provide practical guidance on how to source PPE so that you can be confident that it will protect you and your employees.

Exploring the new frontier where human intuition meets machine precision in safety-critical environments. Every year in the UK, dozens of workers don’t return home from warehouses and construction sites that had policies, training, painted lines, and all the necessary documentation. A painted line. A training certificate. A risk assessment. We check the boxes; we follow the rules. And still, someone gets hurt.

 
As AI-driven safety systems become more sophisticated – from forklift pedestrian detection and driver monitoring to predictive maintenance and impact analytics – the question isn’t whether machines can help us stay safe but how far we should let them take the lead.  

AI can now identify a pedestrian faster than any operator can react. It can detect fatigue that a driver doesn’t even realise they’re experiencing. It can predict which piece of equipment is likely to fail next week. The technology exists.  

However, it becomes uncomfortable: when the algorithm and the experienced operator disagree about what’s safe, who should have the final say?  

Key Takeaways: 

• The hidden reasons why preventable accidents still happen - even in “safe” sites. 
• How AI is already preventing incidents in warehouses, factories, and yards. 
• When to rely on human judgment, and when to let AI take the lead. 
• Five practical actions to start using AI responsibly in your safety strategy. 
• Why the future of safety isn’t man or machine - it’s both, working smarter together.

John will explore how safety awareness peaks and troughs, complacency and inattentional blindness can all increase staff vulnerability.

He will show how a ‘spaced learning’ approach can keep the safety conversation alive and maintain and build knowledge and skills. John will look at the power of  ‘micro habits’ to reduce complacency and enhance situation assessment and decision making.

Hearing protection is widely used to control workplace noise exposure, yet many hearing conservation programmes still struggle in practice. In some cases, the protection intended to reduce risk can create unexpected challenges for both workers and safety professionals.

This session explores the “hearing protection paradox” – why protection that appears correct on paper does not always work as intended in real working environments. Drawing on observations from industry, the talk will highlight emerging issues affecting modern hearing protection programmes and consider practical questions safety professionals should be asking when reviewing their approach.

Attendees will gain fresh insights into how hearing protection performs in real workplaces and how small oversights can influence both safety and effectiveness.

Long before people go off sick, unmanaged health risks quietly drain performance - through fatigue, discomfort, distraction, reduced concentration, and lower morale. The result is a hidden productivity tax that has a real impact on output, quality, and retention.

Why attend?

• Gain insight into the regulator’s focus health and wellbeing
• Understand where small improvements deliver the biggest gains
• Take away practical steps to support people and performance

Selection of RPE:

• Type of Hazard
• Standards
• Level of Protection
• Comfort and Usability
• Compatibility
• Maintenance and Training

Importance of Face Fit Testing, and Methods of Face Fit Testing:

• Qualitative Fit Testing
• Quantitative Fit Testing
• Controlled Negative Pressure Method

Key Reasons for Face Fit Testing:

• Worker Safety
• Regulatory Compliance
• Personal Fit Assurance
• Ongoing Protection

What can affect a Face Fit Test? 

Explore how the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 - better known as Martyn's Law - not only protects people and premises, but also strengthens lone worker safety. This session will break down compliance for both Standard and Enhanced Tier premises and events, showing how following the law can boost your risk mitigation strategy.

Join Mike White for this afternoon’s keynote session to gain:

• Clear understanding of Martyn's Law compliance requirements
• Insight into training opportunities to support individuals and organisations
• Overview of how Martyn’s law will be regulated
• Access to the latest official guidance
• Practical next steps for your organisation to keep your people secure

This session will explore the critical role of fit and wearability in PPE adoption. While manufacturers are increasingly addressing these issues, many buyers attending the show are specifically tasked with sourcing appropriate or inclusive PPE and need practical insights. We’ll look at why poor fit leads to non-compliance, how wearability affects performance and safety, and what organisations can do to improve user acceptance. From gender-specific sizing to ergonomic design, this talk will help attendees understand how to specify PPE that workers actually want to wear.

AI tools like ChatGPT are quickly becoming part of everyday work for health and safety teams. Used well, they can save time - helping with tasks like drafting reports, summarising guidance, or shaping training content. But when it comes to analysing incidents, identifying trends, or supporting safety-critical decisions, general AI tools have limits. They don’t understand your data, your organisation, or the regulatory and operational context behind your health and safety work. Relying on them without that context can lead to missed risks, poor judgement, and decisions that are hard to defend. In this session, we’ll look at where general AI works best, and where purpose-built safety intelligence is the safer choice to inform you risk management strategy. 

Key Takeaways:

• Practical examples of where tools like ChatGPT add value for safety teams 
• The risks of using general AI for incident analysis and safety decisions 
• Why safety-specific AI like Notify Spark delivers more consistent, accurate and reliable insight

Health and wellbeing are firmly on the agenda, with HSE focusing its proactive inspections in this area in 2026, but many still struggle to secure consistent senior leadership attention, budget, and accountability.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “How do I get senior leaders to take this as seriously as safety” then this session is for you. 

We will explore:
•    Why health struggles to get board attention compared to safety
•    How to reframe health in commercial language
•    What data actually lands with senior leaders
•    How HSE’s 2026 focus changes the conversation

Delegates will gain practical insight into influencing upwards, aligning health with business priorities, and strengthening governance and accountability at a senior level.

Brought to you by The Safety Net Foundation and our Women In Industry Ambassador Programme, this discussion explores the realities facing women working across the safety sector today - from representation and progression to workplace culture and leadership visibility.

The panel will reflect on the challenges that remain, the progress being made, and the practical steps organisations can take to create more inclusive, supportive and forward-thinking environments. Looking ahead, the session will consider what meaningful change looks like in practice, and how the industry can continue evolving.