Tom Jones, head of policy at Thompsons, said: “Recent events show that health and safety is not the ‘unnecessary red tape’ that some politicians and employers would have you believe, but is actually a vital, life-saving necessity.

“Employers should take their duties towards their workforce seriously and the government needs to safeguard legislation around worker safety in a post-Brexit world.”

Here, Hazards showcases the top twelve entries.

CUTTING EDGE   RMT member Christopher Draper, a signal technician from Herefordshire, took first prize. Judges said his photograph, taken in technically difficult conditions, was “a stark reminder of dangers workers encounter and of the importance of modern safety equipment.” According to Christopher: “My colleagues and I were tasked with renewing stretcher bars on a set of points at Hereford station and the picture is of one cutting off the old stretchers with a petrol driven disk cutter. I hoped to highlight how proper health and safety at work allows us to use dangerous equipment safely.”

DRIVEN HOME   Second place went to freelance photographer Michael Hall, from Monmouthshire. His photograph was described by competition judge and Daily Mirror associate editor Kevin Maguire as “a poignant reminder of what can happen when health and safety is not followed”. Michael said: “As a dad, it’s the effects on other people that stood out to me – what it’s like for a family if their father doesn’t come home.”

IMPORTANT POINT Phil Morcom, a communications professional at Leeds City Council, took third place with a photograph judges said was “a reminder that health and safety isn’t just important in industry, it’s essential in areas like healthcare and waste disposal too.” Phil said: “Health and safety continues to be vital for workers in every job and every area of the country. The actions we all take can influence someone else's future, so if this image helps people to think about disposing of used needles and medical waste appropriately and so play a part in keeping waste workers safe, I'm delighted.”

CARE TAKEN TV editor Carrie Baldwinson’s photo was ‘highly commended’ by judges, who described it as “a haunting image, particularly when we the Grenfell disaster is still in everyone’s minds”, and “demands that we remember that those who protect our safety every day must be protected themselves.” Carrie said: “To me, work provides a living, caring provides a life. Referring to the management of risk as health and safety takes away from the real reason we implement this legislation. We help people manage risk with empathy and care, and in turn, we safeguard life. It is better to provide an answer than raise a question. What are we really risking?”

Bob Howie

Andy Nicholls

Joanne Gordon

Ahmed Mohshin

Sarah Mortimer

Martin Eaglestone

Jackie Huybs

Jackub Rutkieswicz

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A picture of health?

You probably get sick of the sight of your own workplace. But do you ever get to see where others spend their working day? The winners of the 'Focus on safety at work' photography competition, organised by the law firm Thompsons, give a glimpse of the world of work through others' eyes.

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