How a Safer Workplace Boosts your Bottom Line
Health and Safety regulations are first and foremost designed to keep employees safe at work, but that’s not the only benefit of making sure your workplace is a safe and healthy place to be. Managers and owners should also think about how introducing and maintaining safe working practices can impact on profits and the long-term survival of the business.
The real cost of an unsafe workplace
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that in 2016-17, there were 1.3 million workers suffering from work-related ill health, there were 609,000 workplace injuries, and 31.2 million working days were lost. All of these factors cost the country a staggering £14.9bn per year. So as you can see, workplace injuries, accidents, and injuries hit our economy hard.
The benefits of a safer workplace
It makes sense to invest in workplace safety rather than losing money because of lost productivity, increased insurance costs, compensation, and sick pay.
Businesses who look after their employees will be rewarded with higher productivity, lower staff turnover, better morale, and a reputation as a good company to work for.
How can we increase workplace safety?
Good workplace safety starts with good risk assessments, especially in areas where hazardous materials are stored, people work at height, or where fire safety is paramount. As well as risk assessments, simple measures like comprehensive first aid procedures and visual warning notices are very effective.
The essentials for a safe workplace
Visual warning methods like high visibility slip resistant floor tape, floor graphics, safety signs and hazardous chemicals signage are appropriate for most industrial workplaces.
Specialised storage cabinets for hazardous materials might be needed and of course, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential and should always be worn to protect staff and visitors from the hazards associated with work activities related to electricity, heat and chemical exposure, as well as potential biohazards and airborne particles.
Providing your employees with basic manual handling equipment such as safe step ladders, sack trucks and trolleys will go a long way towards protecting them from musculoskeletal injuries related to moving heavy goods.