Opinion

Ben Pepper

Work-related road risk – steering clear of danger

Each day across the UK, millions of employees take to the roads as part of their working lives. Whether delivering parcels, attending client meetings or riding bicycles between jobs, road use plays a vital role in keeping businesses going. While the general health and safety landscape has evolved significantly over recent decades, work-related road risk (‘WRRR’) remains an area that is too often overlooked by employers.

By Ben Pepper, CL Medilaw on 19 November 2025

Daniel Easton

It is time to end the lottery of asbestos compensation

A legal anomaly that makes it more difficult for sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer to obtain compensation than people who have developed mesothelioma means large numbers of people are dying before receiving full compensation that could prove vital in the final months of their lives.

By Daniel Easton, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers on 13 November 2025

Susan Laurie

Act in autumn to fix work-related alcohol issues year-round

With employers likely turning their attention to Christmas and end-of-year parties for their teams, autumn is an ideal time to launch prevention, support and education programmes around alcohol at work, providing a real opportunity to protect health, productivity and performance.

By Susan Laurie, Alcohol Change UK on 01 October 2025

    Statue with Sword and Scales iStock _ultraforma_

    Sentencing for health and safety offences: how the level of fines is rising

    The Sentencing Council Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety & Hygiene Offences Definitive Guideline (‘the Guidelines’) came into force nearly 10 years ago. The Guidelines sought to implement a proportionate approach to sentencing, ensuring that the levels of fines imposed are proportionate to the means of the offender and reflect the seriousness of the offence committed. This article will explore the sentencing process, provide an update on sentencing over the years and will explore some recent cases.

    By Polly Geddes and Hannah Burton, Pinsent Masons on 29 July 2024

    ULEZ iStock/Alena Kravchenko

    A big, brave change with bold results. Who knew?!

    Cast your mind back to summer last year. Do you recall the almighty row about expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the whole of Greater London? You may also remember just how vociferous, and political, the arguments became.

    By Mike Robinson FCA on 31 July 2024

    Heat Stress Man MED Istock 1308386875 Credit Juyochi

    Heat at work: a silent killer

    Workers across the world are increasingly being exposed to excessive heat with serious implications for their safety and health. It is therefore vital that governments, employers and workers’ organisations develop, share and implement practical and low-cost strategies and measures for effectively reducing the risk from heat stress at work.

    By Halshka Graczyk and Lacye Groening, ILO on 07 April 2025