Are We Prioritising Safety—or Just Playing by the Rules?

A Glasgow building collapses, yet no rules were broken. In Ireland, hospitals are overcrowded, putting patients and staff under immense pressure. Meanwhile, workplace safety continues to evolve, with new trends shaping how we protect workers in 2025 and beyond. But amid all these developments, one question remains: Are we truly keeping people safe, or just ensuring compliance?

The Glasgow incident raises uncomfortable but necessary concerns. If a structure can collapse without breaching regulations, are the rules themselves falling short? Safety isn’t just about following checklists—it’s about ensuring real protection for workers, residents, and the public. A reactive approach isn’t enough. We need to question whether regulations are evolving quickly enough to match the realities on the ground.

In healthcare, overcrowded hospitals are placing staff and patients at risk, while the rise of e-cigarettes introduces new health concerns. Yet, are policymakers acting fast enough to address these risks? Safety should be proactive, not just a bureaucratic process that catches up after harm has already been done.

The future of workplace safety is promising, with trends in AI, mental health awareness, and ergonomic innovations. But if we only implement these changes where legally required, are we missing the bigger picture? True safety culture means going beyond what’s mandated—it means asking tough questions, anticipating risks, and making meaningful changes before tragedy strikes.

The health and safety industry must shift its focus from mere compliance to real, effective prevention. The rules may not have been broken in Glasgow, but that doesn’t mean nothing needs to change. The question now is: Will we wait for the next disaster, or will we take action before it’s too late?