Josh Taylor, Health & Safety Manager at ESSA, reflects on the positive changes to the events industry since the inception of the Health & Safety at Work Act – but also what still needs to happen.

As 2024 marks 50 years of the Health & Safety at Work Act, it’s clear a lot has changed since coming into effect.

A lot of that change has been for the better. Take Occupational Safety & Health record from the past 50 years for example – data shows that fatal workplace injuries fell 88% between 1974 and 2019/20, with similar reductions in non-workplace injuries too.

While the changing nature of the UK workforce over the past 50 years has played a significant role in workplace injuries falling, improvements to health and safety standards cannot be underestimated in helping achieve this too.

Yet this doesn’t mean the Health and Safety Act is without its problems – problems that we still face within the events industry today.

While the Act outlines employer responsibilities, there is little guidance on how to showcase the importance of health and safety to employees and other parties to ensure they are on board.

At ESSA we empower our 300+ members to do exactly that, with additional resources such as our Health & Safety Accreditation to further reinforce the message and ensure health and safety becomes a priority for all.

Instead of “because of health and safety”, think about the why – “You have to wear a hi-vis in the halls because there are vehicles and forklifts moving around and the drivers will be able to see you better”, for example.

The more information people have and share then the more people know what is happening, meaning shows can be planned better and delivered better – both more efficiently and safely.

Published in the September issue of Hospitality & Events North Magazine