At a time when our knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work is at its highest, statistics show that ongoing improvements in accident rates and time taken off work due to injury and ill-health are stagnating. Alongside the fact that around 80% of accidents can be attributed to human error, there is also increasing concern that modern-world issues of mental and physical wellbeing are undermining recent gains made ensuring the safety of people at work.


By applying the principles of marginal gain and using lessons drawn from the high-risk world of outdoor adventure and high level sport, this book provides a variety of practical solutions and seeks to reduce the incidence of human error in the workplace and the number of accidents and near-misses. The concept of Free Thinking Hazard Identification is introduced alongside the importance of managing changing circumstances and minimising the frequently underestimated risk to experienced workers. A range of practical recommendations are also made to help reduce time taken off work due to injury or ill-health, through managing fitness, diet and health and paying attention to mental wellbeing.