Human Factors Critical to Safety in the Energy Transition
By Safety Desk · 07 November 2026
Health and safety professionals are being urged to integrate human factors into the development of emerging low-carbon energy technologies to ensure workplace safety.
As the UK shifts towards renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, industry experts are highlighting the vital role of human factors in maintaining safety standards. As new systems move from concept to commercial operation, there is a unique opportunity for health and safety leads to embed ergonomic and behavioural considerations into the design phase of infrastructure.
For procurement and safety managers, this transition requires a focus on how workers interact with new machinery and environments. Integrating human factors early helps to identify potential failure points where human error might occur, allowing for the implementation of better-engineered solutions or more specific PPE requirements before projects go live.
The shift to new energy sources often introduces unfamiliar hazards. By putting people at the centre of technology adoption, businesses can create more resilient safety cultures that are better equipped to handle the complexities of the energy transition.
Source: HSE Network