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​ Future trends in health and safety across retail, supply chain, warehousing, and logistics.

I had the privilege of recently attending a highly engaging 2-day event focused on Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) in the retail, supply chain, warehousing, and logistics industries. The event brought together industry experts, innovators, and safety leaders to discuss current challenges and the future direction of HSE practices. Below are the key highlights, including emerging trends, actionable insights, and opportunities for collaboration. There were many excellent insights and ideas shared across the event with a common theme focused on the development and potential for AI and technology to drive health and safety performance.

Panel Insights: Embracing Collaboration and Culture Shifts

The panel discussions were rich with insights. Velma Baptiste-Destouche, Group Head of Health and Safety at Kingfisher, emphasised the importance of collaborative problem-solving and staying ahead of potential risks by constantly "looking at what's coming down the road." She focused on understanding incidents at various levels within a business, noting that accidents often reveal where warning signs were missed at senior levels, urging the need to empower these decision-makers to prevent future oversights.

 Dan Platten, SHEQ & Sustainability Director at Gist Logistics, shared the idea of "resetting the perspective of risk," encouraging businesses to rethink how they approach risk in daily operations. His perspective resonated with many in the room, as risk management remains a top priority in logistics and supply chain safety.

 Lee Bird, Head of Premises Safety, Policy & Performance at Sainsbury’s, made his debut as a panelist and brought an open, engaging approach. He stressed the importance of bringing diverse people together to share knowledge and learn from each other, further emphasising the value of collective learning in improving safety practices.

Emerging Trends: Technology and Sustainability

1. AI in Safety: The Future is Now

One of the most talked-about topics was the use of AI technology for safety monitoring, introduced by Protex Ai. While opinions were divided on the applicability of AI in all environments, it’s clear that technology is becoming integral to day-to-day operations. As Anna Keen stated, "The technology is going to come; it’s up to us to embrace it and make it work for us and our businesses." Conversations with industry leaders like Daniel Mc Guigen, Julie Westcott, and Chris Newson highlighted the potential of AI to free up human focus for larger risks while providing fast insights into what led to incidents and how to reduce them in the future.

2. Alternative Fuels: The Road to Zero

The discussion around alternative fuels for HGVs was equally thought-provoking, particularly during Julie Westcott’s talk on “Road to Zero – Alternative HGV Fuel Strategies.” Companies striving for net-zero targets are under pressure to find practical, cost-effective solutions. Dan Platten pointed out that we are likely to see a blend of fuel solutions in the short term, as fossil fuel alternatives are still developing. The conversation raised key questions about infrastructure readiness, government policies, and the practicality of different fuel types. It’s clear that the future of HGV fuels is a major factor in reducing carbon emissions across logistics.

Keynote Insights: Humanising Safety through HOP

A standout session came from Phil Gilling, a Human Factors and Critical Risk Management coach with 32 years of RAF experience. Phil spoke about the concept of Human Organisational Performance (HOP), focusing on how companies can learn not just from mistakes but also from successes and getting away from the mindset of ‘people cause incidents’. His powerful statement, "If you only reward success, you ignore the good things people are doing to prevent incidents," emphasised the need for a culture of continuous learning. This theme, echoed by Chris Newson, stresses the importance of humanising safety and moving away from a blame culture to create a culture of learning and improvement.

Overcoming HSE Challenges: Leadership and Culture

Many sessions tackled the challenge of engaging leadership in safety efforts. Kevin Rees, Managing Director at PSL, spoke about Leadership in Action, urging safety leaders to re-evaluate their approach. He emphasised the importance of psychological safety and creating a blame-free environment where employees are empowered to learn and improve. His analogy struck a chord: "If a football team draws every game, they haven’t lost—but they’ll still be relegated. We need to win every game to improve safety daily." This mindset of continuous improvement was a recurring theme throughout the event.

Networking and Collaboration: Learning from Industry Leaders

Beyond the formal sessions, the event provided excellent networking opportunities. I connected with Leo Workwear, an innovative company that puts the end-user at the heart of safety garment design. Their range of elastic hi-vis joggers and inclusive full-length garments for individuals with cultural or religious needs stood out. Leo Workwear’s commitment to not only safety but also comfort and inclusivity was a refreshing approach in a traditional industry.

Another highlight was a session with Protex Ai, whose AI software is already transforming workplace safety. Scott-Pierre Cahill delivered a strong presentation, addressing questions about the limitations of AI while underscoring its potential to revolutionise safety management. It’s clear that technology will play an increasing role in identifying and mitigating hazards.

Looking Ahead: The Future of HSE in Retail and Logistics

Reflecting on the event, the main takeaway is that collaboration will be key to the future of HSE. Whether it’s standardising PPE or pushing for government support in sustainable fuel solutions, the conversation is moving toward shared solutions. Solving these challenges will require a united effort across the industry, not just from individual companies.

My Personal Reflections: A Journey of Continuous Improvement

For me, the event served as a powerful reminder that continuous improvement is key for those within HSE in order to break through the health and safety plateau. Whether it’s embracing new technologies like AI or fostering a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility, there’s no shortage of ideas to create positive change. Mark Cartwright, Head of Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention at National Highways, gave a sobering reminder that we lose 5 lives a day on our roads—a fact that hit me hard and shifted my perspective on the importance of safety in our daily lives. It’s a stark reminder of the work still to be done in improving road and workplace safety.

Next Steps: Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If you’re in the retail, supply chain, or logistics sectors, I encourage you to start conversations with your teams. What are the biggest safety challenges you're facing, and how can we apply some of the insights from this event to make meaningful changes?

I’m happy to continue the discussion or help connect you with others who attended. Together, we can drive real, lasting change in our industries.

Sam Tearne is a Consultant at Irwin and Colton focused on placing health and safety professionals into the FMCG Manufacturing and logistics industries. Contact Sam on 01923 963 651 or sam.tearne@irwinandcolton.com