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90% of UK workers say safety boosts productivity. Operational risks are undermining retention and business growth.

EcoOnline research reveals workplace safety is now a business performance driver, but broadening operational pressures are making progress harder to sustain.

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April 28, 2026

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London, UK | 28 April 2026 – As UK productivity plateaus, with output per hour worked down 0.5% y e ar on year, new research from EcoOnline reveals that gaps in workplace safety may be holding back workforce performance and business growth.

To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, EcoOnline, a leading global provider of safety and sustainability software, today released new findings from its annual Workplace Safety Report. The report found that, of 1,300 workers surveyed across the UK and Ireland, 90% said a safer workplace made them more productive, with 79% saying they would consider leaving a position due to unsafe workplace conditions.

Operational risks are broadening beyond traditional safety hazards

The research shows that the barriers to worker safety, productivity, and operational resilience are becoming more varied and more persistent:

Nearly a third (30%) of UK lone workers experienced an accident while working alone in 2025, while confidence in employer responsibility fell from 68% to 62% year on year
Stress remains the dominant factor (61%) among the 39% who say they or a family member have experienced a workplace accident or illness
Chemical exposure is rising, with 44% of workers now handling chemicals at work, up from 42% in 2025, but efforts to phase out hazardous substances remain flat at 62%
Just 30% say they are aware their employer has a crisis management plan and understand it well

Workers also point to a broader set of operational challenges than traditional safety hazards alone, reflecting a growing awareness of risk across the workforce. Their top perceived threats to business continuity are:

Cyberattack or data breach: 42%
Serious workplace injury or medical emergency: 27%
Fire or evacuation-related incidents: 23%
Physical security threats or unauthorised access: 23%

Technology can strengthen safety, with human expertise at the core

Technology is increasingly seen as part of the workplace safety solution, with 72% of workers saying more digital tools would make them feel safer, up from 67% in 2025. However, sentiment on AI remains cautious. While 47% believe it could improve workplace safety, the majority still emphasise the need for human investment and expertise. Workers top asks for safety investment were more training for all staff (37%) and ensuring more employees work specifically on safety (38%), reinforcing that technology must support safety teams and scale their expertise, not replace them.

“We know safe workers are productive workers,” said Tom Goodmanson, CEO at EcoOnline. “Not just because accidents create downtime, but because safety directly affects focus and confidence. When the workforce trusts their safety processes, they spend less time compensating for risk and more time doing their jobs well. Connected risk visibility is critical here – giving teams the clarity to act quickly and keep operations moving. Technology aids this journey by supporting better decisions and scaling human expertise, so productivity and protection reinforce each other. The companies that get this right will be the ones that treat safety as a driver of operational readiness, not just a cost of compliance.”

Read the full analysis in the EcoOnline UK and Ireland 2026 Workplace Safety Report.

FAQ

Why is workplace safety now being talked about as a business performance driver?

EcoOnline’s research suggests workplace safety affects more than compliance. It can influence how productively people work, how confident they feel in role, and whether they stay with an employer. This means safety increasingly connects to workforce stability, day-to-day performance, and the ability to sustain growth.

How does workplace safety affect productivity and retention in the UK?

The findings show a strong link between safety, productivity, and employee retention. Most workers say safer conditions help them work more productively, while many also say unsafe conditions would influence whether they stay in a role. That makes safety an important part of both performance and employer attractiveness.

What workplace pressures and risks are having the biggest impact on UK workers?

The report points to a broader set of pressures than traditional physical hazards alone. Stress, lone working, rising chemical exposure, and low awareness of crisis planning all stand out. Workers also increasingly connect workplace safety with wider operational and business continuity concerns, including cyberattacks, fire and evacuation incidents, and physical security issues. This reflects a broader awareness of what can disrupt people, operations, and resilience.

Do workers believe there is a role for digital tools and AI in heath and safety?

The research suggests workers are open to digital EHS software playing a bigger role in their safety, especially where they help improve visibility, consistency, and response. At the same time, sentiment around AI remains cautious, and workers still place strong value on training, human expertise, and dedicated safety support. The clearest message is that technology should strengthen safety teams, not replace them.

What is the methodology behind the EcoOnline Workplace Safety Report 2026?

The UK findings form part of a wider survey conducted between January and February 2026 among more than 5,900 employed workers aged 18 to 65 across the UK, Ireland, Unites States, Canada and the Nordics. Within this, 1,300 respondents were surveyed across the UK and Ireland across industries including construction, manufacturing, utilities, oil and gas, healthcare, and retail.