In our 150th episode(!) of the Safety And Risk Success Podcast, Christian is joined by Peter Forshaw, a partner at Weightmans law firm, to explore the complexities of the safety legal landscape as it stands in 2024. The discussion provides a deep dive into how economic conditions affect claims exposure, the critical importance of evidence in defending claims, and the emerging trends in health and safety management, including the integration of AI. They also highlight the growing focus on mental health in the workplace and the trends in COVID-related claims.



Key highlights:

Economic Conditions vs. Claims Exposure:
- The episode begins with an analysis of the correlation between economic downturns and an increase in claims, providing valuable insights into current trends.

Defending Claims with Evidence:
- The importance of robust evidence in defending claims is discussed, underscoring the need for meticulous documentation and management.

Collaborative Incident Management:
- Emphasis is placed on the significance of collaboration among different departments in managing health and safety incidents.

Trends in Claims Inflation:
- The concept of claims inflation is explored, along with its impact on the legal landscape.

External Economic Pressures:
- The conversation covers how wage inflation, supply chain pressures, and court backlogs are influencing the cost and management of claims.

Health-Related Claim Trends:
- There's a special focus on the potential increase in lung-related claims and the unexpectedly low surge in COVID-related claims.

Health and Safety Alignment with HR:
- The integration of health and safety policies with HR practices is discussed as a key strategy for modern organisations.

Mental Health in the Workplace:
- The podcast delves into the increasing focus on mental health at work, highlighting legal and managerial perspectives.

Technological Integration and Employee Entitlement:
- The episode touches upon the use of AI in health and safety management and the challenges posed by a rising sense of entitlement among employees.



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