The latest figures from the HSE are a sobering reminder of the risks that still exist across British workplaces. Between April 2024 and March 2025, 124 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents. That number may be lower than the year before, but behind every statistic is a family, a community, and a business left asking what could have been done differently.

It’s tempting to view these numbers as just that, numbers. But the reality is, no checklist, policy, or annual risk assessment is enough on its own. Preventing serious incidents takes more than compliance. It takes culture.

In this blog, we explore what it really takes to prevent serious workplace incidents, beyond compliance. We’ll look at the role of leadership, communication, training, and behaviour in building a strong, lasting safety culture.

Leadership Sets the Tone

Health and safety aren’t just the responsibility of the safety manager; it starts at the top. When directors and senior leaders speak openly about safety, get involved in workplace walkarounds, and ask the right questions, it sends a clear message that it matters.

More importantly, how leaders respond to incidents or near misses defines how the rest of the team behaves. Are concerns welcomed or brushed off? Are mistakes seen as opportunities to learn, or reasons to assign blame?

An example of learning from incidents without blame would be Tesco (Logistics and Transport). When a Tesco delivery van was struck while parked, instead of assigning blame, the collision was investigated to inform design changes. The result being that doors were redesigned so drivers could always unload safely, a classic example of a “just culture” that learns from problems.

True safety leadership is visible, engaged, and willing to listen. If your team could benefit from sharpening these skills, our Leadership Skills e-learning course introduces practical tools and theories to help strengthen leadership at all levels.

Build a Safety Culture

There’s a big difference between a company that ticks the boxes and one where people genuinely feel responsible for each other’s safety. A strong safety culture is one where:

• Employees stop work if something feels wrong and are supported when they do.
• Near misses are reported quickly, without fear of getting in trouble.
• People look out for each other, not because the rules say so but because it’s how they work.

Understanding how behaviour influences risk is a crucial part of this. Our Behavioural Safety course explores how to identify at-risk behaviours and build safer habits that stick supporting your team move from reactive to proactive.

Talk About Safety and Mean It

Safety shouldn't only come up after something goes wrong. It should be part of daily conversations in toolbox talks, team meetings, or even casual chats.

Clear, open communication helps surface issues early. It empowers people to speak up when they spot something. And it creates a shared understanding that everyone has a role to play.

The best safety communication is two-way. Make time to listen. Ask what people are seeing, what’s getting in their way, and what would help them do their job more safely. Then act on it.

Training for Competence and Confidence

Training is an investment not just in compliance, but in competence and confidence. Too often, safety training is treated as a one-off or delivered in a way that fails to connect with real-life risks.

Good training is ongoing and helps employees understand why something matters, not just what they’re supposed to do. It should evolve as your business and risks change and it should include everyone from the boardroom to the shop floor.

For a well-rounded understanding of how to manage health, wellbeing, and risk in your organisation, explore our Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course which is ideal for HR leads, safety officers, and line managers alike. We also have a host of e-learning courses to support you.

Final Thoughts

Preventing fatal incidents isn’t about doing the minimum. It’s about creating an environment where people are engaged, informed, and empowered to work safely every day.

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we understand that building a strong safety culture takes more than policies, it takes people, perspective, and ongoing support. Whether you need help reviewing your current safety practices, delivering targeted training, or embedding behavioural safety into your workplace, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to find out how we can support your journey beyond compliance.