The Importance of Health and Safety in the Workplace
Why is workplace health and safety important?
The significance of occupational health and safety should not be understated. All businesses should follow strong health and safety procedures to reduce work-related injuries.
Employers who violate health and safety regulations risk prosecution, penalties, disruption of their businesses, and even prison.
This blog emphasises the significance of occupational health and safety regulations. Additionally, it explains the significance of health and safety regulations for safeguarding the welfare of employees and avoiding negative financial effects.
What does occupational health and safety entail?
Employers are required to take health and safety precautions to safeguard the physical and mental health of both employees and non-employees.
Employees, clients, and guests on your property are all protected by the Health and Safety at Work Act. Employers should strive to completely eradicate or greatly reduce workplace accidents.
Lack of regard for health and safety can result in more negligence cases and absenteeism, which lowers workplace morale and productivity. It also results in accidents, chronic illnesses, and even fatalities, demonstrating the significance of workplace safety.
Why is workplace health and safety important?
Every year, work-related illnesses, accidents, and work-related injuries cost us millions of workdays. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 1.6 million workers experienced work-related illness in 2019 at a cost to the economy of an estimated £16.2 billion.
Employers must understand the significance of health and safety as well as the implications of doing nothing.
Affected workers might experience:
– Losing income
– Long-term implications on wellness and health medical costs
– Possible joblessness
Employers might also deal with:
– Fines and requests for reimbursement
– Damaged tools for the job
– Loss of reputation and revenue
Why do we have laws governing health and safety?
The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 was created to emphasise the responsibility employers have to everyone who works for them. The law explains the requirement for worker health and safety. And how to approach risk prevention in a “reasonably realistic” manner.
Employers shouldn’t require “life and limb” risk taking from their employees as a condition of employment. Putting employees at danger of harm to their health or safety is unacceptable.
The legal judgements explain why we have a workers’ health and safety act. Employers can maintain their legal compliance by encouraging these moral behaviours, which may result in:
– A rise in employee retention. an improvement in staff morale. lower hiring expenses growth in the output and earnings of the business. decreased insurance premiums.
– How can I encourage safe work practises in my company?
– To reduce workplace accidents, employers are responsible for recognising hazards and establishing control measures.
They all support promoting broad duties for workplace health and safety, from the significance of a safety policy through H&S training. Here are some strategies for encouraging health and safety procedures at work.
Develop a formal health and safety policy
According to the HSW Act, if you employ five or more employees, you are required to have a written H&S policy. Even if you have fewer employees, having the policy is still smart business practise.
The statement should include:
– A statement of overall H&S policy.
– Management of health and safety at work.
– Assign accountability for the precautions.
– Approaches to lowering or removing dangers.
All business policies, including those pertaining to health and safety, should be reviewed annually or more frequently as needed.
Training in health and safety
Employers are required by law to provide all employees with occupational health and safety training in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999. Employers should emphasise workplace safety during training sessions for new employees.
Additionally, you want to have safety programmes, risk assessments, and training sessions, especially when implementing new policies or working practises. such as while utilising new tools, working in novel environments, etc.
Health and Safety Equipment
Direct injuries and impacts can be considerably decreased by using the proper health and safety equipment. Equipment might include everything from personal protection machinery to guards and shields for dangerous equipment (PPE).
Make sure your employees have access to H&S equipment while using it for the appropriate duties. In order to lower the possibility of hazards and accidents, you need also have the proper signage and training for the equipment.
H&S Culture
Develop a culture at work that emphasises the value of workplace health, safety, and security. Employers ought to set a good example and promote safe work habits.
Your workplace relationships will improve as a result of your proactive approach to health and safety, and your employees will regard you as a trustworthy and caring employer.
If you would like to discuss how Acton Safety can help with your workplace health and safety, you can call us on 01978 784 302, email us on [email protected] or complete our online form by clicking here.