What Health and Safety Managers Need to Know in 2026

Mon 9th February 2026

The health and safety landscape in 2026 is defined by regulatory evolution, heightened expectations around wellbeing, and a continued push for smarter, more resilient workplaces. While this isn’t a year of sweeping legislative overhaul, several significant developments demand the attention of health and safety managers across all sectors. Staying ahead of these changes will help organisations remain compliant, protect their people, and demonstrate strong governance.

1. Building Safety Reaches a New Phase

One of the most notable milestones in 2026 is the transition of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) into a standalone public body on 27 January 2026. This shift signals a maturing of the post‑Grenfell regulatory environment, with increased scrutiny on duty holders, clearer accountability structures, and more robust oversight of higher‑risk buildings.

For health and safety managers involved in facilities, construction, or property management, this means:

Ensuring building safety cases are up to date
Strengthening golden thread information management
Preparing for more proactive regulatory engagement

Secondary legislation in Wales and updates to fire safety regulations also come into force this year, reinforcing the need for consistent, well‑documented compliance.

2. Martyn’s Law and Security‑Related Duties

Martyn’s Law, designed to enhance security at public venues and events, continues its phased rollout in 2026. The legislation introduces proportionate requirements for premises to assess terrorism risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures. Although final guidance is still emerging, health and safety managers should begin integrating security considerations into broader risk assessments and emergency planning.

3. A Stronger Focus on Mental Health and Psychosocial Risks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is placing greater emphasis on psychosocial hazards such as stress, workload, and organisational culture. This reflects a shift from awareness‑raising to enforcement, with mental health now treated as a core component of workplace risk management.

Practical steps include:

Embedding stress risk assessments into routine processes
Training managers to recognise early signs of distress
Ensuring wellbeing initiatives are evidence‑based rather than tokenistic

4. Employment Law Changes Affecting Safety Duties

The Employment Rights Act 2025, coming into effect during 2026, introduces several changes that influence workplace safety responsibilities. These include enhanced worker protections and clearer employer obligations around safe working conditions. Health and safety managers should work closely with HR teams to ensure policies and procedures reflect the new requirements.

5. Modernised Compliance for Low‑Risk Organisations

Proposed reforms aim to simplify compliance duties for small, low‑risk organisations without reducing protections against serious hazards. While details are still emerging, this could mean streamlined documentation and more proportionate regulatory expectations. Managers should monitor updates to understand how these changes may affect their sector.

Find out more about managing risk and risk assessment in the workplace

6. Renewed Attention to Safety Signs and Communication

With evolving risks and regulatory expectations, 2026 is an ideal moment to review workplace communication tools, including safety signs. Clear, compliant signage remains a fundamental control measure, particularly as organisations update emergency procedures, security protocols, and wellbeing initiatives. Ensuring signage is current, accessible, and aligned with new risk assessments will support both compliance and workforce confidence.

Read >> How to conduct a safety signs audit in the workplace