The Future Safety Professional: Evolving Roles and New Challenges?
Updated: Aug 26
A career in health and safety can be varied, challenging, and rewarding. But what does the future look like for those working in the industry?
We've asked Alex, Rebecca B and Rebecca D, two years on from this original post, to reflect on any changes and share their thoughts on how they think health and safety roles and careers may evolve in the coming years.
A more people-focused approach?
The health and safety profession is constantly changing, and I believe the way we manage health and safety needs to change with it. We are already seeing a move away from large amounts of paperwork towards more digital systems, online reporting, electronic risk assessments, training records and easier ways of accessing important safety information.
For me, the future of health and safety is not just about becoming more digital. It is about making health and safety easier for people to understand and apply in their everyday work.
We can have policies, procedures and risk assessments that meet all the legal requirements, but they are only effective if the people carrying out the work understand what is expected of them. Information needs to be clear, practical and suitable for the people who are going to use it.
Digital systems can help with this by making information easier to access, update and communicate. QR codes, mobile devices, electronic inspections and reporting systems can give workers and managers access to current information without having to search through folders of paperwork. However, we also need to recognise that not everyone has the same level of confidence with technology, literacy or understanding of health and safety terminology.
The profession therefore needs to continue finding different ways of communicating. This could include simple language, photographs, diagrams, videos, demonstrations and face-to-face discussions alongside digital systems. The aim should always be the same – making sure people understand the hazards, the controls that are required and what their responsibilities are.
Health and safety professionals also need to remain approachable. Some of the most valuable information comes from speaking to the people carrying out the job. They understand the practical difficulties of a task and can often identify where a procedure looks good on paper but does not necessarily work in the real working environment.
Whilst compliance is still an important part of our role, we are now seeing a greater emphasis on people skills, communication, engagement, and leadership. This means we have to develop the skills and knowledge to make us better, more rounded safety professionals. It’s not just about collecting certificates. There is an expectation that we extend our learning to behaviours, human error, investigation techniques, risk management and much more.
Changes in Legislation
Post-Brexit life dished out a bit of panic when there were suggestions a lot of health and safety legislation in the UK (derived from EU legislation) was going to be removed. Whilst this wasn’t quite the case, minor amendments have been made and bigger changes may be on the horizon.
With an ever-changing working environment, changes may not be a bad thing. Is legislation created and established in the 90’s still relevant to modern day work?
It’s vital for health and safety professionals to stay up to date with legislation, it always has been. But would the industry cope with a deviation from what we have been used to for such a long period of time? Has it delivered the results we needed?
We have a future of change ahead of us from advances in technology to ever increasing environmental demands. The world of safety is more than just meeting the needs of the 1974 act, and now more than ever we need to adapt. Commonly we’re being asked to apply legislation to complex work situations which means we must be creative and innovative.
Alongside legislative change, the remit of the safety professional is also widening.
Evolving Roles: H&S vs SHE, SHEQ , SSHEQ
The role of health and safety professionals has been evolving for some time. It’s common for you to see SHE, QHSE, SHEQ, SSHEQ and so on. But will this become the norm?
With stricter environmental rules and eagle-eyed monitoring as climate change awareness skyrockets, will environmental drivers overshadow the health and safety remit?
The government's eyeing future net-zero carbon emissions, meaning tougher rules on emissions, waste, energy, and resources for all. We may be able to look forward to green rewards like tax perks and green grants, but the potential for penalties will always be a concern.
Environmental impact and sustainability is high on the agenda of the public, consumers and shareholders. If this becomes more of a focus over the coming years will we start to see a rise in cancel culture as businesses are pushed to demonstrate how they are saving the planet.
What does this mean in the future for safety professionals? There is an increasing demand for safety professionals to delve into the environmental world, with a surge of roles requiring environmental experience and job titles shifting from H&S to SHE (Safety, Health and Environment).
Two entirely different sets of knowledge, skills and legislation can be a difficult challenge to balance, both operationally and on a day-to-day basis. The added responsibilities could certainly deter talent from otherwise exciting opportunities or add pressure for professionals to adapt. There is of course no denying the potential opportunity and development the future for us young professionals.
The question is do we accept the challenge and embrace the opportunity or push back on business leaders?
Technology Advancements
Technology advancements mean fewer risks, right?
This common oversight can lead to a false sense of security. Whilst technology advancements such as automation, AI and co-bots offer significant improvements in efficiency, they also introduce new risks that must be carefully managed. For young professionals, understanding and navigating these risks is essential for a successful career in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Collaborative robots, or co-bots, are designed to work alongside us, improving efficiency and productivity. Co-bots have come a long way since their first introduction and are widely used in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and even health and social care. Equipped with advanced sensors and safety features allowing them to operate in close proximity, they are marketed as a safer alternative to traditional robotics and machinery.
However, safer doesn’t mean safe; risk assessments can often be overlooked and oversimplified. Due to this common misconception, safety professionals might struggle to gain traction for emphasising these risks.
The future of our profession is packed with opportunities for future development. There are opportunities to embrace technology, be innovative, curious and creative to boost safety practices, care for employees, and prevent incidents.
But we can’t forget the importance of compliance and the potential for prosecution, fines and tarnished reputation. Whilst this may seem old school for some, it’s still an important part of our role and something we can't neglect.
Navigating the twists and turns of ever-changing safety rules, different approaches and demands can be a challenge. The future is exciting as the perception of our profession changes, but we need to ensure we’re prepared for the changes and challenges ahead.
Some points that we'll be considering as we develop in our careers:
Look outside the traditional route for training and qualifications, what other skills and knowledge will we need to be a success?
What can you do to prepare for a change in role or added responsibilities?
How can you prepare yourself to progress into management and leadership roles?
Embrace technology and explore ways in which it can support you in your role.
Build a community, it’s vital you have a group of peers around you to support when needed.
Get a mentor, someone that can help push you out of your comfort zone and guide you through future changes and challenges.
Don’t just rely on the law, look at how you can develop core skills such as empathy, engagement, curiosity etc.
One practical example of this balance between digital tools and human involvement is the increasing use of online safety dashboards.
The progression of online dashboards for safety vs consultancy:
It is becoming increasingly common for us as safety professionals to work with companies that either already have a safety dashboard in place, or are looking to bring one into the business.
Safety Dashboards are usually created and aligned by 3rd party companies, who work with the company and the safety professionals to ensure that the dashboard reflects and tracks the most important parts of health and safety to the business.
With the increase in companies gaining ISO accreditations, safety dashboards have become increasingly popular to align all paperwork and compliance checks and tests into one place.
These are useful for companies that are overwhelmed, or where the safety role within the company is also built into operations and facilities. But from the perspective of consultancy, it can sometimes be absent of a personal touch, and that can only be delivered with in-person, ongoing support.
We work with our clients to give a fully tailored management system that is based on the exact needs and wants of the business. We integrate ourselves into the business, working with all levels of management to find out exactly what the need is, and deliver the system they want.
Risk assessments that are tailored fully to the jobs in hand, because we roll up our sleeves, go out to sites and get involved with the day-to-day needs and running of each client we support.
As safety professionals, we believe it is our duty not only to support and create ongoing supporting documentation for a company, but also to support and ensure that an understanding of health and safety culture is created and shared.
We want to leave each company in the best possible position to thrive in their own environment, but also know that they have the support of a great consultancy if they ever need us in the future.
Whether we are considering legislation, broader professional roles, emerging technology or consultancy support, the same principle applies.
Ultimately, the future of health and safety should be about keeping things practical, understandable and accessible while continuing to meet legal requirements. If we can make it easier for people to understand what they need to do and why they need to do it, we have a much better chance of creating workplaces where health and safety becomes part of everyday working, rather than simply another piece of paperwork.
About the Authors
Alex Smythe is a Health and Safety Consultant at Orchard Safety Ltd.
Alex started her career in visual merchandising, and became actively involved in fire, health and safety for a multinational retailer. This opened the door for Alex to transition into a full-time fire, health and safety role, providing experience in many industries, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, warehousing and logistics.
Rebecca Druce, Health and Safety Consultant at Orchard Safety
has recently gained her Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management with (IEMA) and holds the Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management as well as the NEBOSH National General Certificate and the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK). She started her career in Leisure Management, where she first became actively involved in operational Health and Safety for multiple leisure providers.
Rebecca Brown's career in health and safety has been built within the construction industry, where she gained over 11 years of hands-on experience supporting businesses, contractors, and site teams to work safely and confidently before joining Orchard Safety Ltd as a Health & Safety Consultant. She holds the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety and the NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, and is a Certified Member of IOSH.
