Health and Safety

Health and safety is a vital issue for working musicians in both the workplace and when travelling to and from engagements. We provide specialist advice and resources to make sure you are safe at work.

Guidance and resources

Risk Assessments

Musicians come across Risk Assessments either as an employee or as a self-employed player asked - here is everything you need to know.

Guidance by Working Area and Circumstances

Browse advice by your area of work, from recording studio to live performances.

Guidance by Health and Safety Issue

Browse advice on noise, vocal health, PAT testing, fire safety and other safety issues.

Member benefits

Member discount

Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme

Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection for an affordable amount.

Member benefit

MU Safety Reps

The MU has the special group of Roving Safety Reps who can assist you in your workplace.

Healthcare Services

The MU has partnerships with specialist organisations to be able to help musicians address health problems.

Health & safety news

Ruth and Siân, standing in a bright indoor space holding a large poster of the front cover of the new Engaging Creative Freelancers Guide.

New Bilingual Guide Champions Fair Work for Creative Freelancers in Wales

CULT Cymru, in partnership with the Musicians’ Union, has published a bilingual best practice guide to support creative freelancers, venues and organisations in creating fairer, safer working environments across Wales’ creative sector.

Published: 04 March 2026

Empty music classroom with seats and sheet stands.

Changes to Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure Checks

From 17 February 2026, legislative changes in Northern Ireland allow self-employed musicians working with children and vulnerable adults to apply for an Enhanced AccessNI disclosure check through a registered Umbrella Body.

Published: 23 February 2026

Close up of an acoustic guitar in a meadow at sunset.

LGBT+ History Month 2026: Navigating Top Surgery as a Freelance Trans Musician

To mark LGBT+ History Month 2026, folk musician, activist and MU member Maddie Morris reflects on getting top surgery while freelancing — from fundraising and touring to recovery, music-making, and mental health.

Published: 05 February 2026

Young women playing keyboard in front of a mic and pop shield in a home studio. Behind her is a young man playing acoustic guitar.

MU Calls on MSPs to Back Musicians' Manifesto for Scotland Ahead of May Elections

Add your voice to the call for concrete commitments on musicians’ rights, music education and the future of Scottish music.

Published: 02 February 2026

MU Head of ED&I John Shortell, and activists and musicians Maddie Morris, Stu and Keith Xander at the 2025 panel event.

Liverpool Sound City to Implement Access Riders Following MU-Led Accessibility Panel

Liverpool Sound City has announced it will introduce Access Riders for all artists and speakers at its 2026 festival, following an MU-led disability access panel and ongoing collaboration with the Union.

Published: 27 January 2026

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Health, safety & wellbeing events

Last chance to book

A tangle of black cables, connected to sound equipment.

05 Mar 2026

CULT Cymru: Creative Industries Safety Passport

This online, accredited full-day course, is aimed at creative workers to promote a personal responsibility for safety. Discount is available for MU members based in Wales.

Online

Last chance to book

06 Mar 2026

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

A row of miniature wooden blocks on a table, they feature 4 figures of people, with one showing a heart inside the head.

09 Mar 2026

Mental Health First Aid: Two Days (Welsh-Language Course)

A two-day, in-person course which aims to improve mental health awareness, and help people in the creative sectors to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone with mental health conditions. Please note, this course will be held in Welsh.

Carmarthen

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Health and Safety

Guidance and resources

Risk Assessments

Guidance by Working Area and Circumstances

Guidance by Health and Safety Issue

Member benefits

Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme

MU Safety Reps

Healthcare Services

Health & safety news

New Bilingual Guide Champions Fair Work for Creative Freelancers in Wales

Changes to Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure Checks

LGBT+ History Month 2026: Navigating Top Surgery as a Freelance Trans Musician

MU Calls on MSPs to Back Musicians' Manifesto for Scotland Ahead of May Elections

Liverpool Sound City to Implement Access Riders Following MU-Led Accessibility Panel

Health, safety & wellbeing events

Last chance to book

CULT Cymru: Creative Industries Safety Passport

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Mental Health First Aid: Two Days (Welsh-Language Course)