Workplace safety has traditionally focused on physical risks, such as machinery, manual handling, slips, and fire hazards. But in 2025, one of the most pressing safety challenges is invisible: mental health.
Stress, anxiety, and burnout don’t just affect how employees feel, they affect how they perform, communicate, and stay safe. According to recent data, nearly half of all work-related ill health cases in the UK are due to mental health conditions, such as stress and depression.
In this article, we explore why mental health is a workplace safety issue, what legal duties employers have, and how you can build a safer, more supportive culture from the inside out.
Why Mental Health Matters for Safety
Poor mental wellbeing can increase the likelihood of workplace incidents by:
- Impairing focus and decision-making
- Reducing situational awareness
- Causing fatigue, errors, or slower reaction times
- Lowering motivation to follow procedures
- Breaking down communication and trust.
When someone is distracted by stress or anxiety, the chance of an accident rises – not just for them, but for their colleagues too.
Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
UK law recognises mental health as part of workplace safety. Employers have duties under:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure employee health (including mental health), so far as reasonably practicable.
- The Equality Act 2010, which protects people with mental health conditions as disabilities in some cases.
- HSE Management Standards for Work-Related Stress, which outline best practices for managing psychological risks.
Failure to assess and address mental health risks can result in enforcement action, reputational damage, or litigation.
How to Build a Mentally Safe Workplace
Improving psychological safety isn’t just about posters or slogans, but building systems, a safety-first culture, and consistent leadership. Steps to take include:
- Conducting stress risk assessments – just like for physical hazards
- Introducing mental health first aiders and champions
- Providing manager training to spot warning signs and respond supportively
- Creating safe reporting mechanisms for mental health concerns
- Reviewing workloads and shift patterns for potential stress triggers
- Encouraging open dialogue across all levels of the organisation.
Embedding Mental Health into your Safety Culture
Creating a culture where it’s okay to talk about mental health can significantly improve both wellbeing and safety performance. Employees should feel they can speak up without stigma or fear of judgement.
Managers play a key role here. They set the tone, model behaviours, and are often the first line of defence when someone is struggling.
Real-World Example: Improving Culture Through Training
A Midlands-based logistics firm partnered with KeyOstas to integrate mental health awareness into their IOSH Managing Safely training. Within six months:
- More employees felt confident discussing stress
- Absenteeism due to mental health dropped by 21%
- Safety incident reporting increased, showing greater engagement and trust.
How KeyOstas Supports Mental Health & Safety
We help organisations embed mental health awareness into their wider safety systems. Our services include:
- Tailored mental health training for managers and staff
- Integration of psychological safety into NEBOSH, IOSH, and SPA courses
- Support with policy creation and risk assessment
- Cultural audits and consultancy for long-term impact.
Safety Starts with the Mind
Mental health and physical safety go hand in hand. By recognising psychological risk and acting early, you create a safer, stronger, and more resilient workforce.
Explore our wellbeing and mental health training options at Home – KeyOstas or get in touch at Contact – KeyOstas to discuss how we can support your safety culture from the inside out.