In the spotlight with Mario Preite

How did you get into the health and safety industry?

I got into the health and safety industry because I’ve always been passionate about creating safe and efficient work environments. My journey started with a background in building surveying and healthcare, construction, where I quickly realised the importance of workplace safety in preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with regulations. Over time, I pursued additional industry certifications and training in health and safety, which allowed me to transition into a more specialised role. I enjoy working in this field because it gives me the opportunity to protect people, promote a culture of safety, and continuously learn about evolving regulations and best practices. I currently support 210 teams as a divisional health and safety lead for the cancer division within the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Trust.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I enjoy most about my job as a divisional health and safety lead is the opportunity to make a tangible impact on workplace safety and wellbeing. Knowing that my efforts help prevent accidents, protect employees, and create a healthier work environment is incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the role – every day brings new challenges to me, whether it’s identifying potential hazards, improving safety protocols, or ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Collaborating with different teams across various departments within my division keeps the work dynamic and engaging, as I get to educate, influence, and build a strong culture of safety. Additionally, the continuous learning aspect of health and safety excites me. With new technologies, industry best practices, and regulations constantly emerging, I’m always expanding my knowledge and finding innovative ways to enhance workplace safety within a healthcare environment.

What does your daily role entail?

My daily role involves overseeing and implementing safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment. A key part of my job is supporting departments with their risk assessments, safety audits, and inspections to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with current industry regulations. I work closely with different teams across the division which range from pathology, specialist rehabilitation, cancer imaging and pharmacy to provide guidance, training, and support on health and safety best practices, fostering a proactive safety culture across the Trust. Incident investigation and root cause analysis are also essential aspects of my role, as they help prevent future occurrences and drive continuous improvement. Additionally, I stay up to date with regulatory changes, liaise with key stakeholders across the Trust, and develop strategic safety initiatives to enhance workplace safety. My role requires a balance of leadership, problem-solving, and communication to ensure that safety remains a top priority at all levels within the Trust.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the health and safety industry in UK healthcare?

The health and safety industry in UK healthcare faces several significant challenges. One of the biggest is managing workforce shortages and staff fatigue. With high demand and ongoing pressures on the NHS, staff are often overworked, leading to increased risks of errors, mistakes, violations, workplace injuries, and burnout. Violence and aggression towards healthcare staff are growing concerns. Frontline workers in today's society frequently face verbal and physical abuse, which impacts their wellbeing and overall workplace safety, in particular lone working in the communities. Additionally, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations and safety standards can be complex, particularly with budget constraints and resource limitations. Balancing patient care with stringent health and safety requirements often requires innovative solutions and strong leadership. Finally, mental health and wellbeing are increasingly recognised as critical issues. Supporting our healthcare staff with stress management, mental health programs, and safe working conditions is essential to maintaining a resilient and effective healthcare workforce. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach, ongoing training, investment in safety measures, and fostering a strong safety culture across this sector.

How do you think these challenges can be overcome?

Overcoming the key health and safety challenges in UK healthcare requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritises staff wellbeing, robust safety measures, and continuous improvement.

1. Addressing workforce shortages and fatigue

• Investing in staff recruitment and retention strategies to reduce excessive workloads.

• Implementing shift management policies that promote adequate rest and recovery.

• Providing mental health support and wellbeing programs to prevent burnout.

2. Reducing violence and aggression towards staff

• Implementing stricter policies and zero-tolerance approaches to workplace violence.

• Training staff in conflict-escalation techniques.

• Increasing security measures and providing better reporting mechanisms.

3. Improving compliance and resource management

• Streamlining health and safety procedures to reduce administrative burdens.

• Utilising digital reporting tools for real-time monitoring and compliance tracking.

• Lobbying for increased funding to ensure hospitals and care facilities meet safety standards.

4. Prioritising mental health and wellbeing

• Embedding mental health support into workplace policies and behaviours.

• Encouraging open discussions about stress, workload, and support systems.

• Providing access to counselling, peer support groups, and stress management resources such as Employee Assistance Programs ( EAP's) 

Ultimately, overcoming these challenges requires a strong safety culture, leadership commitment, and collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, and frontline workers. Investing in staff, embracing innovation, and maintaining a proactive approach will help create safer and healthier workplaces for both employees and patients.

What are you most memorable successes?

One of my most memorable successes in healthcare was developing and implementing a comprehensive set of compliance documents and policy for contractors that significantly supported the number of workplace incidents and near misses. By focusing on educating staff and contractors about correct PPE use, and safe site techniques, I was able to foster a more proactive safety culture with the contractors which directly contributed to the reduction of workplace injuries within healthcare construction projects. This resulted in critical improvements to our protocols and procedures in relation to the construction (design and management) Regulations 2015. Which I identified the root causes, shared findings across the estates and facilities and clinical departments, and implemented actionable changes that enhanced patient and staff safety around healthcare construction. Ultimately, my most memorable successes come from knowing that the changes I’ve helped implement directly improve the safety and wellbeing of both healthcare professionals and patients.

What’s your vision for the future of health and safety in UK healthcare?

My vision for the future of health and safety in UK healthcare is one where safety is deeply embedded in every aspect of healthcare delivery – both for staff and patients. I believe the focus should not just be on compliance, but on creating a proactive and resilient safety culture where risk management is seamlessly integrated into everyday practice. As technology continues to advance, I foresee a greater use of AI and data analytics to help predict potential hazards before they occur, enabling healthcare facilities to respond quickly and effectively to challenges such as infections, equipment malfunctions, and even staff fatigue. This technology could play a critical role in ensuring real-time monitoring of workplace conditions, identifying risks, and implementing swift corrective actions.

Mental health and wellbeing are central to this vision. In the future, healthcare organisations will have comprehensive mental health support systems in place, where staff members feel supported both physically and psychologically. Recognising the toll that the healthcare environment can take on our healthcare workers is essential to maintaining a sustainable workforce and reducing burnout. Collaboration will be key to achieving this future. I envision stronger partnerships between health and safety experts, healthcare providers, and regulators, allowing for continuous learning, adaptation, and shared responsibility. Safety policies and practices must be dynamic, evolving to meet the changing landscape of healthcare delivery, whether through technological advancements or responding to new health threats.

Ultimately, my vision is a healthcare system in the UK where health and safety are not just prioritised but ingrained in the culture, ensuring that our healthcare workers are supported, patients are protected, and safety is seen as a fundamental tangible value and not a tick box exercise in every healthcare setting.

What do you think the medium-term future holds for the safety industry in UK healthcare? 

The medium-term future of the safety industry in UK healthcare is likely to be shaped by technological advancements with increased funding, increased focus on workforce wellbeing, and stronger collaboration across the healthcare sector.

One key trend will be the integration of more advanced technologies such as AI, and real-time monitoring systems to improve risk management and patient safety. These technologies will allow for predictive analytics to identify potential hazards before they occur, whether it's related to medical equipment failure, or patient handling. By leveraging data, healthcare facilities will be able to act more proactively, minimising risks and improving patient outcomes. Another important development will be the growing recognition of mental health and wellbeing as integral components of overall safety. The pressures on our healthcare workers have increased significantly, and the medium-term future will see a stronger emphasis on addressing stress, burnout, and mental health challenges. NHS Trusts will likely invest more in mental health support systems, ensuring staff are supported both physically and psychologically to provide safe, effective care.

Regulatory frameworks will continue to evolve to address new challenges, such as the integration of new technologies, changing healthcare delivery models, and the increasing complexity of patient care. Ensuring compliance with these updated regulations will require healthcare providers to be agile and adaptable, continuously reassessing their safety protocols. Finally, collaboration across all levels of healthcare—from policymakers to frontline staff—will be essential. The future will require a more integrated approach to safety, where continuous learning, improved communication, and shared responsibility are the foundation of a robust safety culture.

Overall, the medium-term future of safety in UK healthcare will focus on using innovation to enhance risk prevention, safeguarding the wellbeing of our healthcare workers, and ensuring high-quality patient care.

What health and safety issues are you most passionate about?

I’m most passionate about issues that directly impact the wellbeing of individuals, particularly when it comes to preventing accidents and reducing risks in high-pressure environments. In healthcare, I’m especially focused on lone working and risk management, as they have such a direct impact on both staff and patient safety. Ensuring that correct protocols for protection, communication, and lone working technology and are in place is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Another area I’m passionate about is supporting mental health in the workplace. In healthcare, staff are often under immense pressure, and mental wellbeing can be overlooked. I believe creating an environment where workers have access to mental health support and stress management resources is just as important as physical safety measures. Additionally, I’m committed to improving training and education for all staff members. Safety is only as effective as the knowledge and awareness of the people on the front lines. Ensuring that everyone has access to regular safety training and feels empowered to speak up about potential risks is something I truly care about.

Ultimately, my passion lies in creating a culture of safety that goes beyond compliance, one where prevention, awareness, and support are at the forefront.

How can we entice more young talent to work in the health and safety sector?

Attracting young talent to the health and safety sector requires a multifaceted approach that highlights the importance, variety, and impact of the field. First and foremost, we need to increase awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within health and safety, especially in sectors like healthcare and construction, many young people may not realise how rewarding and integral these roles are to the success of an NHS Trust and the safety of its people. One way to entice more young talent is by showcasing the role of technology in modern health and safety. With advancements in AI, data analytics, and real-time monitoring systems, the field has evolved beyond traditional safety protocols. The use of innovative tools to predict and prevent risks is an exciting aspect of the sector that could appeal to young professionals with an interest in technology and problem-solving. Additionally, we can highlight the personal and professional growth opportunities in health and safety. Many young people are looking for careers that offer meaningful work and a chance to make a positive difference. Health and safety professionals have the unique opportunity to directly impact people’s wellbeing, which can be highly motivating. Promoting the idea of working in a field that offers both stability and the chance to improve lives can help to attract future safety leaders.

It’s also important to create pathways into the industry through industry professional qualification, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs. These initiatives allow young people to gain hands-on experience and see firsthand the value of working in health and safety. Partnering with educational institutions to incorporate health and safety into their curriculum and offering scholarships or grants could also help draw more young talent to the field.

Finally, we need to cultivate a more modern, dynamic image of the sector. By showing that health and safety careers are not only essential but also innovative, varied, and impactful, we can inspire young people to consider it as fulfilling and is a future-proof career choice for them. 

Mario Preite is a qualified health and safety practitioner human factors investigator and divisional health and safety lead for the cancer and cinical support division within the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Trust. For more information, visit www.uhdb.nhs.uk