World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025

The theme for 2025 focuses on the role of digital tools and AI in transforming health and safety – a timely and important topic for the built environment sector.

This year marks more than 50 years since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, a pivotal piece of legislation that laid the foundations for how we manage workplace risk today. Introduced during an era dominated by large, dangerous machinery and manual working practices, it arrived at a time when mobile technology and remote working weren’t even in the conversation.

Enhancing safety

Today, we’re operating in a very different world. There has been a rapid shift towards digitisation across the construction industry, with tools like AI, machine learning, and digital twins presenting opportunities to improve how we manage health and safety. From speeding up risk assessments to improving data analysis, digital tools can make our processes more efficient and proactive.

Balancing innovation with responsibility

However, as with any new technology, these tools come with their own set of challenges. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently highlighted that while AI has the potential to improve safety, it can also introduce or intensify certain risks if not managed correctly. They note:

“AI is rapidly developing in capability and is a transformative technology. It can create and exacerbate health and safety risks but also has the potential to bring real benefits for health and safety.”

This reinforces the need for a human-focused approach. AI must enhance, not replace, the judgement, expertise, and decision-making of trained and qualified professionals. It is also vital that the industry takes time to properly understand these technologies before rolling them out at scale.

The role of technology in meeting BSA requirements

The introduction of the Building Safety Act (BSA) and the creation of the Building Safety Regulator has added further scrutiny on competence, information management and accountability. These are areas where digital innovation could help address key challenges. With increasing pressure on the sector to demonstrate compliance and manage vast amounts of data effectively, digital solutions could play a crucial role in enabling safer, more transparent practices.

People-first approach

This kind of innovation is particularly valuable as the construction industry continues to grapple with competency requirements, resourcing constraints, and ever-tightening regulations.

However, technology alone will not solve everything. To truly deliver better together, we must ensure digital tools are adopted responsibly, with robust governance, clear communication, and proper training.

As we mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it is an opportunity to recognise just how far the industry has come and how much further we need to go. By embracing innovation while keeping people at the centre of everything we do, we can create safer environments for all.

For more information, head to our health and safety page or contact us today.