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As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the ideal time for organisations to pause, reflect, and reset. At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ve worked alongside a wide range of clients this year, and one theme has stood out: the businesses that thrive are those that treat health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management as a continuous journey, not a one-off task.

Key Lessons from 2025

From our consultancy perspective, several lessons have been clear this year:

• Preparedness is Everything: Organisations with up-to-date risk assessments and contingency planning were better equipped to deal with unexpected challenges, from severe weather to operational pressures.
• Wellbeing is Part of Safety: Supporting mental health and work-life balance has proven just as vital as physical safety. Businesses that embraced this saw stronger engagement and lower absence rates.
• Sustainability Cannot Be Sidelined: Clients who embedded environmental responsibility into daily practices gained not only compliance confidence but also reputational benefits with customers and stakeholders.

Setting the Tone for 2026

As we look ahead, our advice is to focus on three priorities:

• Refresh and Review: Enter 2026 with risk assessments, policies, and training all up to date and relevant to current operations.
• Embed a Safety-First Culture: Move beyond box-ticking. Create a culture where health, safety, and wellbeing are part of every decision made on site and in the office.
• Elevate Environmental Goals: Whether it’s reducing waste, improving recycling, or investing in energy efficiency, even small changes can add up to big impacts.

Celebrating Success

We encourage our clients to take time this December to acknowledge achievements. Reduced accident rates, improved compliance audits, or successful environmental initiatives deserve recognition — celebrating progress builds momentum for the year ahead.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The landscape of health, safety, and environment is always evolving, but the principle remains the same: prevention is better than cure. By learning from 2025 and planning proactively for 2026, organisations can safeguard their people, protect the environment, and strengthen their resilience.

At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ll continue to support clients with practical, tailored advice to help them achieve their goals in the year ahead.

Contact us to discuss your health and safety requirements.

December blends festive celebrations with winter extremes, making it one of the most complex months for HSE management. It’s also an opportune moment for inclusion and reflection.

Key Focus Areas and Relevant UK Campaigns:

1. Safety Essentials

– Workload & Fatigue Prevention: Encourage balanced hours and check in with teams handling year-end responsibilities.
– Festive Celebrations: Plan social events with safety in mind—consider transport arrangements, manage alcohol responsibly, and ensure inclusivity.
– Winter Hazards: Maintain gritting, safe routes, and emergency measures for outdoor or travelling staff.

2. Inclusion & Wellbeing

– International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3 December: This UN-led observance encourages awareness of disability issues and inclusive practices (https://awareness-days.co.uk/awareness-day/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities/2025-12-03/). Use it as a reminder to review workplace accessibility, ensure holiday events are inclusive, and highlight support for staff who may find the festive period isolating or challenging.

3. Environmental Stewardship

– Year-End Energy Management: Promote a “switch-off” initiative for unused equipment and appliances to reduce waste and cost.
– Sustainable Festivities: Avoid single-use plastics, encourage recycling, and choose eco-friendly decor and catering options.

4. Reflection & Planning

December is also the time to review progress against HSE objectives for the year and set fresh goals for the year ahead. Celebrating achievements while identifying areas for improvement ensures momentum carries into January.

Why This Matters

This blog positions your business as both caring and professional—balancing safety, culture, and sustainability at a critical time of year.

Contact us for you health and safety requirements.

Slips and Trips in Icy Weather: Don’t Let Winter Catch You Off Guard

As temperatures drop and pavements freeze, the risks of slips and trips rises sharply. Icy surfaces are deceptively dangerous—what looks like a harmless patch of frost could send you flying.

Why It’s Risky

• Black ice is invisible and extremely slippery.
• Snow-covered hazards like uneven paving or curbs are hard to spot.
• Wet leaves and slush can be just as treacherous as ice.

Safety Tips for Walking in Winter

• Wear sturdy footwear with good grip—avoid smooth soles.
• Walk slowly and carefully, taking shorter steps.
• Use handrails where available, especially on stairs and ramps.
• Keep hands out of pockets to help balance and break a fall if needed.
• Stay alert for icy patches near building entrances, car parks, and shaded areas.

Slips and trips in icy weather aren’t just inconvenient—they can lead to serious injury. A few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Contact us if you require further guidance.

Driving Responsibly

Employees must adapt their driving to winter hazards:

• Drive slowly and smoothly, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration.
• Increase following distances—up to 10 times longer on icy roads.
• Use headlights appropriately in poor visibility.
• Avoid distractions and stay alert to changing conditions.
• Follow designated routes and avoid risky shortcuts.

These behaviours align with health and safety law, which applies to work-related driving just as it does on-site.

Legal and Employer Expectations

Under UK law and employer policies, employees must:

• Comply with health and safety regulations while driving for work.
• Cooperate with employer safety measures, including training and risk assessments.
• Report incidents or near misses promptly.
• Follow journey plans and avoid unnecessary travel in severe weather.

Employers are required to manage road safety risks, but employees play a key role in executing those plans.

Emergency Preparedness

Employees should carry a winter emergency kit, especially for longer journeys:

• Torch, blanket, shovel, snacks, water
• Phone charger and de-icer
• High-visibility vest and warning triangle

This is particularly important for lone workers or those driving in rural areas.

When Not to Drive

If conditions are too dangerous, employees should:

• Inform their manager and delay travel.
• Avoid pressure to drive if they feel unsafe.
• Use alternative communication or remote work options if available.

Employers must support safe decision-making and not penalize employees for refusing to drive in hazardous conditions

Winter arrives in earnest in November, bringing additional risks and heavier operational pressures. It’s also a fitting time to reflect on workplace safety culture and legacy.

Key Focus Areas and Relevant UK Campaigns:

1. Safety Essentials

– Winter Driving Risks: Icy roads and shortened daylight demand fleet checks, safe driving guidance, and realistic scheduling.
– Fire Safety Alertness: With increased heating use, revisiting fire risk assessments and conducting evacuation drills is key.
– Slips, Trips & Falls: Frost and ice can cause serious incidents. Gritting plans, clear signage, and robust housekeeping are essential.

2. Safety Culture Reflection

– Health and Safety at Work Act Anniversary – 31 July (celebrated throughout 2025): 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Health and Safety at Work Act 1974—foundational legislation that revolutionised workplace safety in the UK (https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2024/a-golden-era-of-safety-50-years-of-the-health-and-safety-at-work-act).

3. Staff Wellbeing

Shorter days can lower morale and productivity. Encourage breaks, organise social connection opportunities, and highlight wellbeing support to prevent fatigue-related risks.

4. Environmental Efficiency

– Energy Usage Management: As heating and lighting needs rise, encourage efficient usage, implement switch-off policies, and ensure systems are maintained.
– Managing Year-End Waste: Increased production and stock turnover mean more waste—review safe storage, disposal, and recycling channels.

Why This Matters

November is a tipping point month—your blog can guide businesses in preparing for winter hazards, reinforcing safety culture with legislative context, and maintaining environmental and employee wellbeing focus.

Contact us to discuss your health and safety requirements.