August in Review: Lessons, Innovations, and Awareness in Health & Safety As summer draws to a close, August 2025 has proven to be a month of critical developments in the health and safety landscape. From sobering enforcement actions to promising innovations, the stories emerging this month offer valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and organisations striving to uphold safety standards. At Hendersons Health & Safety, we’ve reviewed the key headlines, fines, and campaigns to distil what matters most.
Introduction: Carnival as a Cultural and Operational Paradox Notting Hill Carnival is a paradox. It is both a celebration of identity and a crucible of public safety. It is a free, open-access event that draws over two million people into the streets of West London, yet it operates without the formal controls that govern most major public gatherings. It is a symbol of multicultural Britain, but also the single most resource-intensive and risk-laden event in the UK policing calendar.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 , widely known as Martyn’s Law , marks a significant shift in how the UK approaches public safety at venues and events. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the law introduces a legal duty for venues to assess and mitigate terrorism risks. At Hendersons Health & Safety, we’re here to help you understand what this means - and how to prepare. Martyn’s Law requires venues and events expecting 200 or more people to take proportionate steps to protect the public from terrorist threats. For larger venues (800+ capacity), the requirements are more detailed and include formal risk assessments, staff training, and emergency planning.