In high-risk sectors like UK rail, oil and gas, infrastructure, energy, and construction, safety is not just a compliance requirement—it’s a business-critical strategy. By implementing safety-focused hiring, organisations can significantly improve return on investment (ROI), reduce workplace incidents, increase productivity, and enhance brand reputation.
As industries face increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising costs of non-compliance, embedding safety within recruitment practices is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. Safety-focused hiring means placing safety values and behaviours at the forefront of recruitment, onboarding, and workforce development.
The High Cost of Workplace Incidents
Workplace injuries and ill-health cost UK employers an estimated £21.6 billion in 2022/23, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This includes losses from productivity, compensation, medical treatment, and legal fees. These expenses are not just financial; they also impact team morale, operational continuity, and corporate reputation.
In the UK rail industry, a single fatality can cost over £1.64 million, while serious injuries average £184,305. Even minor injuries are costly, at approximately £14,208 per incident (RISSB, ORR). These figures demonstrate the urgent need for risk mitigation through Health & Safety commitments and proactive safety hiring strategies that integrate safety consciousness at the hiring stage to prevent costly errors later.
Safety-Focused Hiring: A Strategic Advantage
Rather than treating safety as an afterthought, organisations are embedding it at the recruitment stage. Safety-focused hiring involves:
- Assessing behavioural alignment with safety values
- Screening for safety-conscious attitudes and skills
- Using predictive tools to evaluate fit for safety-critical roles
- Embedding situational judgment tests to simulate real-world challenges
Companies like MyPeople Group offer behavioural assessments that help identify candidates who naturally align with an organisation’s safety culture. These tools allow employers to benchmark new hires against high-performing, safety-conscious employees. See how behavioural hiring improves team dynamics.
Incorporating safety metrics in hiring KPIs is another emerging best practice. Organisations leading the way are using analytics to understand the long-term impact of hiring on safety performance, making safety hiring a measurable business asset.
Quantifying the ROI of Safety-Focused Hiring
Organisations that hire with safety in mind see tangible and long-term benefits:
- Reduced incident costs: Fewer accidents mean less spent on healthcare, claims, investigations, and legal exposure.
- Improved productivity: Safe environments reduce delays, rework, and project standstills.
- Lower insurance premiums: A robust safety record leads to improved insurer confidence and reduced premiums.
- Increased morale and retention: Employees are more engaged in workplaces that visibly value their well-being.
- Improved client and stakeholder confidence: Demonstrable safety success is increasingly a requirement in procurement and partnership evaluations.
Even a 10% reduction in workplace accidents could save large companies over £500,000 annually, demonstrating a clear ROI. The hidden value extends to reputation protection and long-term strategic positioning.
Sector Insights: Safety-Focused Hiring in Action
UK Rail
The UK rail industry is a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing £42.9 billion in economic output and supporting 710,000 jobs. Its seamless operation is not only crucial for commerce and mobility but also for maintaining public confidence in critical infrastructure.
According to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the sector reported zero workforce fatalities in 2023/24, a testament to robust safety systems and ongoing investment in workforce development. However, this achievement doesn’t negate the risks inherent in the sector—especially with increasing network demands, staff turnover, and the need to upskill for future-ready transport systems.
While compliance is being met, rail organisations must not become complacent. As the industry faces mounting pressure to enhance automation, digital integration, and sustainability, ensuring that all new recruits are aligned with behavioural safety expectations is more important than ever.
MyPeople’s Safety Profiling tools can help rail operators ensure behavioural alignment from the outset—screening for values like vigilance, responsibility, and hazard awareness, and supporting safety-critical hiring across driver roles, control centres, and engineering teams. With rail safety now intertwined with technological transformation, embedding safety-focused hiring ensures the rail sector continues to operate without compromise.
Oil & Gas
A 2022 offshore fatality due to human conflict underscores the need for psychological safety and proactive hiring. The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) reports the average cost of an offshore incident at $8 million. In a sector managing both legacy systems and emerging renewable technologies, personnel with a safety-first mindset are critical.
Construction & Infrastructure
The UK construction and infrastructure sector remains one of the most hazardous industries, recording 51 fatalities in 2023/24 (HSE). In a fast-paced environment where subcontractors, heavy machinery, and changing work conditions collide, embedding a culture of safety starts with hiring the right individuals.
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the average cost of a serious workplace injury in construction exceeds £184,000. Beyond the financial impact, incidents can halt major projects, damage client confidence, and lead to expensive litigation.
Leading construction firms are now embedding safety values across recruitment pipelines—from labourers and crane operators to site managers and QS roles. Pre-employment assessments and behaviour-based hiring are being used to reduce risk from day one.
MyPeople Group supports this shift with tools that screen for key safety behaviours, promote cultural fit, and help contractors build aligned teams.
Energy
The energy sector, from nuclear and fossil fuels to wind and solar, faces a wide range of risks. The Energy Institute noted £1.6 billion in losses from safety-related events in 2020. As technologies evolve, hiring professionals who adapt to new risks while upholding high safety standards becomes a strategic imperative. Safety hiring ensures a future-ready, resilient workforce.
Building a Strong Safety Culture
A robust safety culture starts with the people you bring in. Employees selected for their safety mindset reinforce organisational values from day one.
At MyPeople, we recommend blueprinting your safety culture to:
- Identify behavioural risks and gaps
- Align new hires with team safety dynamics
- Target interventions to improve group safety behaviours
- Support managers in sustaining a high-safety environment
When hiring aligns with safety culture, safety becomes second nature, not just policy.
Beyond Compliance: Competitive Advantage Through Culture
While regulatory compliance is mandatory, organisations that view safety-focused hiring as a strategic asset rather than a mere obligation stand to gain a significant competitive edge. A strong safety record enhances brand reputation, builds stakeholder trust, and can serve as a differentiator in the marketplace. Organisations known for their commitment to safety are more likely to attract clients, investors, and partners who value corporate responsibility and risk management, leading to increased business opportunities.
Moreover, a commitment to safety can be a powerful recruitment tool. Job seekers, particularly in high-risk industries, are increasingly looking for employers who prioritise their health and well-being. By adopting safety-focused hiring practices, organisations can not only mitigate risks but also attract and retain top talent, thereby strengthening their position within the industry.
Implementing Safety-Focused Hiring Practices
To successfully adopt this strategy:
- Define safety competencies across all job levels
- Integrate safety behaviour assessments into recruitment
- Train hiring managers to evaluate candidates for safety alignment
- Establish feedback loops from safety KPIs back into recruitment
- Continuously improve using behavioural analytics and feedback
Explore our Safety Assessment Tools to strengthen your recruitment process.
Conclusion: Safety-Focused Hiring Drives Long-Term Success
Safety doesn’t end with PPE and protocols—it starts with hiring the right people. By embedding safety-focused hiring into their recruitment strategies, organisations in high-risk UK industries can protect their people, lower costs, and gain a competitive edge.
This approach transforms hiring into a strategic lever for operational excellence, cultural integrity, and brand strength. As more businesses realise the value of safety-focused hiring, it is likely that we will see an industry-wide shift towards safer, more productive work environments.
For more information on how to integrate safety into your hiring practices, visit MyPeople Group. Visit our Why MyPeople page to see why safety is central to everything we do.
References
Annual Report of Health and Safety on Britain’s Railways – Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
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HSE Statistics 2022/23 – Weightmans.
IOGP – Health and Safety Report 2022 – International Association of Oil & Gas Producers.
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Office of Rail and Road (ORR) – Rail Safety Statistics 2023/24.
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RPSGroup.com – Data, Technology and Commercial Innovation For Energy Transition.
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Table 1 – Incidence Rates of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Economic Contribution of UK Rail – Oxford Economics.
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