Straight-Talking, Sensible Advice for Occupational Health & Safety Professionals
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026 — a fresh year and an opportunity to refocus on keeping people healthy, safe and supported at work.
New Year, New Safety Focus
A new year is always a good moment to pause, take stock and make sure the basics of workplace safety are firmly in place.
A good place to start is by reviewing risk assessments and checking safety arrangements are still fit for purpose. A short “safety reset” now can help prevent issues later in the year.
Often dubbed the “most depressing day of the year”, the third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday. We prefer the alternative Brew Monday, which is a good prompt to check in with colleagues and encourage connection.
Remember that employers also have a legal responsibility to support mental health at work and manage work-related stress just like any other workplace risk.
With the current cold weather, now is a good time to review how workplace temperatures are being managed. While there's no specific legal minimum indoor temperature, employers are required to provide a reasonable working environment, with HSE guidance suggesting 16°C (or 13°C for physically demanding work).
Cold conditions should be considered as part of your risk assessment, taking into account temperature, work activities, exposure time and individual needs.
