The Health and Safety at Work etc. 1974 Act (HSWA) is the UK’s primary workplace safety legislation. While it doesn’t detail hygiene specifically, the Act places a clear duty on employers to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. That duty cannot be achieved without clean and hygienic working conditions.

This responsibility has never been more pressing. In early 2025, around 2.8 million people were economically inactive due to long-term sickness, up from 2 million in 2019. This rising trend underscores the importance of integrating hygiene and workplace wellbeing into effective health and safety strategies.

In industries such as construction, the focus often falls on visible risks like slips, trips, and falls, while neglecting the less visible but equally damaging risks of poor hygiene. Hygiene is not only about compliance; it's a frontline defence against illness, safeguarding workforce health and wellbeing, as well as business continuity.

The impact of poor hygiene in workplaces

Poor hygiene in workplaces can have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate health risks. It contributes directly to illness and absenteeism, leading to lost working days and reduced productivity.

According to new research by employee benefits and protection provider MetLife UK, long-term sick leave is now costing employers an average of £20,735 per employee. In sectors such as construction or manufacturing, where tight schedules and margins are common, even small increases in sickness absence can cause significant project delays and costs. Investing in preventive hygiene as a health and safety measure is comparatively low-cost, but the returns of fewer absences, improved resilience, and stronger performance are substantial.

At the same time, hygiene is a matter of worker welfare. The NHS reported that good hygiene contributes to a more positive and supportive work environment, positively impacting employee morale and wellbeing. This is not a surprise, as providing clean facilities, safe food handling areas, and contamination-free workplaces helps protect employees’ health and demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to their wellbeing. This not only reduces the likelihood of illness but also fosters trust and morale across the workforce.

There is also the matter of regulatory compliance. Employers have a duty under health and safety law to manage risks, including those related to infection control. Failure to maintain proper hygiene standards not only undermines workforce wellbeing but can also expose organisations to legal and financial penalties. By embedding hygiene into everyday operations, businesses protect their people and strengthen long-term performance.

Embedding hygiene into health and safety practices

To make hygiene a tangible part of workplace health and safety, organisations must move beyond general awareness and commit to structured action. Health and safety managers can start by conducting comprehensive hygiene risk assessments to pinpoint potential sources of contamination or unsafe practices.

Staff training is equally important, not only in cleaning procedures but also in the safe use of equipment, ensuring that hygiene measures protect employees rather than introducing new hazards. Robust contractor vetting further safeguards standards, reducing the risk of unethical or unsafe practices that can compromise workplace hygiene.

Building on that foundation, high-quality hygiene must also be central to hazard mitigation, particularly in areas such as food safety and cross-contamination prevention. In environments where materials, equipment, or even food products are handled daily, poor hygiene practices can introduce avoidable risks that compromise safety standards. Effective hygiene controls, from proper handwashing to clean storage and disposal practices, are critical in preventing contamination and safeguarding quality.

To ensure these measures continue to deliver results, businesses should regularly review cleaning protocols against health and safety KPIs ensures that hygiene practices remain effective, measurable and aligned with organisational safety goals. By implementing these actions into everyday operations, businesses can transform hygiene from a background task into a proactive defence for workforce health, wellbeing and productivity.

Spotless standards in workplaces

Hygiene is not a peripheral concern. It is a core component of effective health and safety management. By prioritising clean and well-maintained workplaces, organisations protect their employees, reduce absenteeism, and strengthen overall performance. Businesses that put hygiene at the heart of their health and safety strategy will not only protect their workforce but also safeguard their future.