(Read time - 5 Minutes)
Health and safety guidelines are commonly thought of as “overzealous” or “workplace safety gone mad” and with so much criticism and division on the subject, it’s easy to lose sight of the reasons why health and safety training is important in the first place, and the crucial role it plays in protecting millions of workers across the UK from harm.
It doesn’t matter what the size of your organization is, if you have employees (or are self-employed), health and safety should be at the top of your priority list.
Here are 7 key reasons why health and safety training is important for your business and why you should be taking advantage of this opportunity...
It’s The Law:
Out of the seven, this is probably the most obvious point, but one of the key reasons non the less, think of it as the foundation to why health and safety training is important because it isn’t optional – it’s the law. The Health and Safety at Work Act Introduced in 1974, requires employers and employees to take reasonable and practicable steps to ensure health and safety in the workplace. In addition, certain regulations outline health and safety procedures in specific industries and sectors.
Not adhering to health and safety laws can lead to severe consequences; fines for health and safety violations continue to grow year on year, these fines can be disruptive and, in some cases, lead to a company’s bankruptcy.
The cost is not just financial; poor health and safety management can lead to criminal prosecution, which can have a devastating impact on the company's reputation and of course the future business of operation.
2. Risk Can be Found in Any Workplace
The importance of health and safety can often be undervalued simply because the hazards in some workplaces are much less prominent than in others, but from busy construction sites to a quiet business office, all workplaces come with their own unique hazards.
Avoid making comparisons: an office space, when compared with a construction site might well look and feel safe, and while this is true, I'm sure you can agree, the two are very different.
Acknowledge your workplace and the hazards that come with it: An office whilst not having the obvious dangers of a construction site still has its dangers, such as, slips, trips and falls, unsecured equipment, and even invisible threats such as asbestos, etc.
Hazards are anything with the potential to cause harm and something all employees should be aware of to reduce or eliminate risk in a workplace.
Don’t become complacent: It is easy to become complacent with health and safety procedures, but it is important to remember that no workplace is 100% safe, and ultimately health and safety should be an ongoing process to identify new hazards and monitor previously identified hazards.
3. Increases Efficiency
The world keeps getting faster, and health and safety are pushed to the back of the to-do list because most people see health and safety as a time-consuming, tedious task with minimal benefit to the company in relation to the other tasks on the list.
Most people are wrong, in fact, health and safety can have a positive influence on a business's efficiency and productivity:
Health and safety require a simple, direct, and informative use of language. As a result of this concise layout, workers can complete work tastes effectively, and above all, safely.
Don’t underestimate the power of a safe working environment; it allows for employees to go about their work without having to worry about their wellbeing, as a result, they are more likely to remain focused, which boosts the overall productivity of the organization.
4. Reduces Cost Across the Board
Sick days, injury, and turnover (workers leaving)
Ask yourself this: when trying to reduce expenses, have you ever thought improving health and safety could be the answer?
If yes, then great, you’ve done what most people don’t.
This is because when trying to reduce expenses the direct financial costs are usually where people look and not the less obvious, indirect money-savers, this is where health and safety sits and why it is often overlooked.
Health and safety are very much about being proactive, and one example of this is clarity; ensuring operations are clear, allows for less room for error.
Although the direct aim here was to improve health and safety this indirectly benefits the company financially. Streamlined operations mean less time spent on individual tasks, which means working hours are more efficient.
In addition, fewer workers are lost due to workplace injuries, fewer are taking sick days and more employees stay in the company as a result of better working conditions and a safe working environment.
This not only saves employers losing valuable time and resources in managing the situation and finding replacements, but they get to keep the continually growing knowledge, skills, and experience of an employee, which is invaluable to a companies future.
I have told you why you should strive for excellent health and safety but now let me tell you why you need to:
Avoid significant fines and a negative impact on a company's image.
The UK government is continuing to crack down on violations of health and safety regulations, offenders can expect large fines, compensation, victim surcharges, and legal proceedings, which can be detrimental to a company's cash flow. However, arguably the more important of the two to consider is the impact it can have on a company's reputation.
Money can be made back but a company’s image is its whole ethos, once damaged it is hard to fix.
5. Creates a Safe Company Culture (environment)
A well-managed health and safety policy can help build a mutually good relationship between employer and employee. Staff who feel valued and safe in work are less likely to want to leave, this atmosphere creates a positive boost in morale and allows for improved productivity, this is where the employer benefits from the healthy relationship.
It’s important to note that in the digital age we live in now, word travels fast, not just within a company but externally, so if you want people to want to come work for you need to have an appealing company culture.
How a company is perceived by the general public, potential investors or employees is virtually important. Having good health and safety management can show an organization’s commitment towards their staff and their values, which is key.
This is an effective way to not only retain the current skilled employees, but it is also a good way to attract highly skilled future employees (prospective employees), investors, or business opportunities.
6. Raises Your Company Profile
In any industry health and safety training is important, it can often play an important factor in whether a company is chosen, either for a project or a potential employee looking to work in your industry, etc. Ask yourself: does your company beat your competition?
A strong health and safety record can help a business to achieve high recognition and give a competitive edge in their industry.
For example, a construction company that demonstrates a commitment to health and safety is compliant with all Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements and is industry-recognised is far more likely to be awarded high profile contracts than a company that isn’t.
Or an organization within a strong company culture is far more likely to have prospective employees knocking at their door asking for a job.
Building a strong profile is a vital part of the ongoing success of any business model, and a commitment to health and safety can play a key role in the process going forward.
7. There’s Nothing to Lose and Everything to Gain
While the unique reasons above are all effective points they all share the same skeleton.
This is that health and safety training has the ability to unite a company creating the desired working environment for its employers and employees and as a result allowing both to work towards a common goal.
Ultimately benefiting all parties involved, aiding in the future growth of the company, and ensuring the health and safety is continued to be adhered to.
Health and safety training should never be seen as a barrier to success or considered as an after-thought, but rather as an effective and logical step to ensure good, ethical, and productive business standards.
The benefits of a strong health and safety policy far outweigh the cost of maintaining it.
If you are unsure how compliant your business is in health and safety get in touch with Better Safety today for free health and safety advice as well as access to the health and safety services we provide.