Dr Julian Hought explains why businesses should combine a ‘lean’ approach to human factors with legislative compliance to improve safety and efficiency.

The offshore wind industry is set to become a major UK manufacturing activity, bringing significant new inward investment, businesses and jobs. However, the relative youth and rapid pace of growth of the industry have led to a lack of international consistency in health and safety practices. James Lawson provides an overview of what is being done to address this important issue.

Dr Tim Marsh takes the concept of ‘nudge’, as introduced in our November issue, and explains how it is a key element of the ‘mindful organisation’ – one in which strong and proactive leadership creates a robust safety culture.

Shops, offices and schools are just some of the workplaces in the services sector where asbestos could be present. But how do such organisations ensure they have the controls in place to safely manage this potentially deadly substance and, at the same time, remain open for business? Sadie Hopson explains.

The design and comfort of the work environment may not be priority issues for many employers in these straitened times but, as Tim Oldman points out, failure to appreciate the damaging effect on productivity of mediocre workplaces can cost businesses dear.

Following on from the recent articles in SHP on getting invited to and succeeding at job interviews James Pomeroy suggests areas candidates could explore during the interview to better understand safety within the hiring organisation and thus stand out from the crowd.

The Government believes that employers have a major role to play in safeguarding their employees’ mental health and well-being. Kevin Yip looks at the barriers businesses face in addressing these issues and suggests how they can be overcome.

With tales of water tables rising, and more and more reports of flooding around the world, the integrity and performance of preventive structures like the Thames Barrier are more important than ever. Melyvn French provides an overview of how safety – and particularly fire safety – is ensured at London’s flood defender.

Stroke may not be at the top of most practitioners’ lists of major workplace health concerns but, as Dr Chris Ide points out, its incidence is common and likely to become more so with changes in retirement-age legislation, so having robust return-to-work policies and procedures already in place will benefit sufferers.

Ever wondered why sometimes, despite your best efforts, you still hit a brick wall in getting people to act on your recommendations, or proposals? Richard Byrne outlines one management theory that practitioners can implement to make every conversation count.