According to the latest HSE statistics, in 2019-20 28.8 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. The estimated cost of injuries and ill health in the workplace was £16.2 billion in 2018/2019.  

The most common cause of long-term sickness absence is mental health and stress. According to the CIPD and Simply Health and Wellbeing Survey 2020, 37% of respondents cited stress-related absences as having increased in the last year. Work-related stress accounts for 44% of work-related ill health and 54% of working days lost in 2018/19.  

Employers must be fully compliant with health and safety legislation in order to avoid penalties and fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities to protect employees from harm. Covid-19 has presented an additional challenge for employers in making workplaces Covid-secure with safe social distancing and adequate PPE.  

The increase of people working from home and the effects of Covid-19 on mental health are key challenges that must be addressed. 

This event will address the most pressing issues for health and safety professionals that have emerged as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hear a combination of policy updates and practical case study examples from leading practitioners from health and safety industry bodies and across public sector organisations.