Spotlight on health and safety at RS Connect 2025

For those who haven’t attended before, what is RS Connect all about?

RS Connect is our annual opportunity to bring together our suppliers, customers and colleagues to discuss the future of industry and leading brands across all major categories. It’s more than an exhibition. It’s a space for learning, connecting and problem-solving. 

This year we’ll have more than 80 suppliers exhibiting across categories including automation and control, tools, test and measurement, electronics, PPE, hygiene, workwear and more. 

RS Connect gives professionals from every sector the chance to explore the latest innovations under one roof.

Why should H&S professionals, in particular, make time to attend?

H&S responsibilities are becoming more complex every year. Whether you’re managing PPE procurement, workplace hygiene or compliance requirements, you’re expected to do more with fewer resources.

 RS Connect is designed to give you the chance to step out of the day-to-day and explore what’s new, what’s coming and how other organisations are addressing similar challenges.

For H&S professionals, the addition of the new Health & Safety Zone means you’ll have a dedicated space to explore solutions that are directly relevant to your role, from innovative PPE to sustainable products and smarter protective workwear.

What can visitors expect from the new Health & Safety Zone?

The Health & Safety Zone is a dedicated area where safety takes centre stage. We’ll be hosting suppliers across PPE, hygiene and workwear, showcasing the latest innovations, from advanced respiratory protection and smarter hearing conservation technology, protective clothing and hygiene solutions.

Visitors can get hands-on with products, speak directly to supplier specialists and explore a wide variety of brands in one place. It’s the first time we’ve created this type of focused space at RS Connect and it reflects how critical safety is across every industry we serve.

With so many suppliers on site, how will H&S professionals navigate such a wide choice?

That’s one of the strengths of the event. Instead of searching online or arranging multiple meetings, you have access to a huge range of trusted partners in one space.

Global brands, innovators and everything in between will be demonstrating their products, answering technical questions, and helping you find the right solution for your workplace.

And because RS Connect covers more than just health and safety, you’ll also see innovations in automation, tools and electronics. 

For many H&S professionals, it’s valuable to understand how these areas connect, like how smarter tools or monitoring technologies can support safety objectives.

How will RS Safety Solutions and the wider RS team be involved?

RS Safety Solutions will be there to guide visitors around the Health & Safety Zone and provide expertise on everything from PPE compliance to hygiene strategies. But we’ll also be showcasing the wider RS proposition.

Our RS stand will feature RS maintenance, inventory and procurement solutions and our RS PRO own-brand range, which combines quality with value. We’ll also showcase our Better World product range, helping customers make more sustainable choices without compromising performance.

Together, these solutions show how RS can support not only individual product needs, but whole-workplace strategies, making us a long-term partner in health & safety and beyond.

Beyond the exhibition stands, what else should attendees look out for?

While the exhibition itself is the main attraction, we’ve worked hard to make RS Connect a truly engaging experience. This year, we’ll host a series of health and safety-focused speaker sessions alongside some interactive activities designed to add a bit of fun while still connecting back to safety. 

We’re not ready to announce the full details just yet, but visitors can expect fresh perspectives and some memorable experiences.

We’ll also have exciting live demonstrations, including experiments with PPE products, giving visitors the chance to see how some products perform in extreme scenarios. 

Just as important are the conversations. Spending time with the RS Safety Solutions team and our supplier partners gives visitors the chance to talk openly about their challenges, share what they need and work together on finding the right solutions. 

That mix of expertise, innovation and partnership is what makes RS Connect such a valuable event.

What feedback have you had from previous attendees?

People really value the mix of inspiration and practicality. It’s not simply theory, you can see products up close, try them and talk to the experts who designed them. 

 H&S professionals require confidence in choosing the right solutions for their teams and appreciate the chance to step back from day-to-day and get a bigger picture view of where the industry is heading.

Finally, if you could give one reason for health and safety professionals to attend RS Connect this November, what would it be?

It’s a great opportunity this year to connect with the people, products and ideas that can make your workplace safer. 

Whether you’re looking to strengthen compliance, introduce more sustainable PPE or simply find smarter ways of working, you’ll find the expertise and inspiration you need at RS Connect.

Neil Griffiths is site director at RS Safety Solutions. For more information and to register for the event, visit https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/17435/