NEWS N
ew research published today as part of the annual Dräger Safety & Health at Work Report has outlined a rising risk of a major industrial disaster,
with more than half (53 per cent) of respondents suggesting that the risk of such an event in their sector is higher today than it was ten years ago. The report, which is now in its sixth year and based on independent research commissioned by Draeger Safety UK, part of The Dräger Group, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, also explores the rise of ‘near misses’ in workplace safety, with half (51 per cent) reporting that such events have increased in the last two years.
When it comes to the reasons behind the concerning findings, global volatility and uncertainty appear at least partly to blame, with almost three-quarters (72 per cent) saying that supply chain disruptions have made it harder to obtain parts, materials, or support, and a further 69 per cent reporting that global uncertainty has increased stress and fatigue, contributing to workplace errors or unsafe behaviours. Frequent organisational changes or strategy shifts, driven by external volatility, are also making safety harder to manage, according to 61 per cent of those taking part in the research, with global uncertainty increasing operational pressure, making it harder for people to focus on safety-critical tasks. Respondents also report that staff fatigue, pressure to do more with less, as well as rising stress levels among workers and a reluctance among employees to speak up, are also to blame for the rise in near misses.
WORKERS SOUND ALARM ON MAJOR INDUSTRIAL DISASTER RISK AS ‘NEAR MISSES’ INCREASE
Perhaps most concerningly, almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of ‘front line’ workers say that their employers don’t understand just how bad things have become ‘on the ground’ when it comes to workplace safety. Matthew
Bedford, managing director, Draeger Safety UK, said: “Over the past six years, the landscape of workplace health and safety has continued to shift, shaped by the immediate disruption
of the pandemic, ongoing financial pressures, global instability, and changing workforce expectations as new generations enter employment.
“The findings of the 2026 report reflect a wider environment of ongoing global uncertainty and volatility, and concerningly, suggest that the ‘perfect storm’ of factors affecting workplace safety and health, as highlighted in last year’s report, may be closer to becoming reality than is comfortable. “If there is one clear message for health and safety professionals, it is that the warning signs are now unmistakable. It is imperative that organisations listen and act.”
Draeger Safety UK
www.draeger.com
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NEW INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION SIMPLIFIES PRODUCT JOURNEY, SAY SAFETY CERTIFICATION EXPERTS
roduct safety certification specialists, ExVeritas, have highlighted the positive impact of the recent expansion of the IECEE CB scheme which now unifies product safety across more than 50 countries. The IECEE (IEC System for Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components) is an international standard which enables its members to mutually recognise test results for the certification of electronic equipment at a national level. UK-based ExVeritas specialise in testing and certifying products as safe for use within UK, European, US and international standards, including the IECEE CB. “With this expansion, the IECEE makes it easier for products which have gained approval by one country or standard to gain certification in many more markets where they may be sold and used,” commented Paul Moss, principal engineer at ExVeritas. In November 2025, the IECEE standard expanded its scope to address the impact of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and sustainability on electrotechnical products. As a result, product testing delivered by ExVeritas to IEC standards can now be recognised by national and industry accreditation bodies in over 50 countries, including the UK, USA, China, Japan and most of Europe. The IECEE state that the expanded CB scheme is “a one-stop shop that offers the potential of one test and one certification, recognised internationally.” “The UK is a hotbed for both innovation and exporting but many British companies are perhaps unaware of how this change helps reduce certification costs and accelerate their access to overseas markets,” added Moss. The IECEE CB scheme is focused on general product safety, with particular relevance to low-voltage electronic or electromechanical technology and equipment. ExVeritas test products against a number of IEC standards, including IEC 62368-1 for audio/visual and ICT equipment and IEC 61010-1 for electrical equipment used for measurement, control and laboratory use.
6 SPRING/SUMMER 2026 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
As a Certification Body Testing Lab (CBTL), ExVeritas can certify products for many standards, including UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking and standards relating to explosive atmosphere safety like ATEX and IECEx. As an NCB (National Certification Body), ExVeritas are also accredited to issue their own certificates. As well as product testing, ExVeritas also provide safety training and site safety surveys (particularly for potentially explosive atmospheres) and all- in-one product audits for multiple safety standards.
“In the lifecycle of any product, reaching the intended market quickly is paramount. This change by IECEE enables us to help UK and international firms achieve certification while reducing delays and associated costs,” concluded Moss..
ExVeritas
www.exveritas.com
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