Employers in the UK are legally obliged to provide their workforce with a safe environment. If they fail to do this, then they could be held accountable through the courts. However, this isn’t just a one-way street; workers, too, have an obligation: to follow the instructions and protocols given to them where safety is concerned.(Disclaimer: This article contains spons0red content, meaning we may receive compensation from the products or services mentioned.)
The simpler the guidelines provided, the more likely it is that they will be followed. However, those guidelines should still be exhaustive enough that they guard against all of the threats faced in the workplace.
Let’s run through a few of the reasons why safety still matters for employers.
Minimising Workplace Accidents
By implementing robust safety protocols, you can reduce the rate at which accidents are suffered. This has a direct impact on productivity, in that injuries inflicted can drive up the rate of absenteeism. If a worker suffers an eye injury because they failed to wear protective goggles while drilling, then they might not be as effective a worker in the future. They might have to take time off – and in some cases, they might never return again.
Leaving to one side any ethical implications of this, hiring and training new staff to replace the injured ones will impose an additional financial burden on the business.
Complying with Legal Requirements
As we’ve already mentioned, employers are legally obliged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide a safe working environment. Where this environment is not provided, the company may be forced to pay heavy penalties.
In some cases, the employer might take direct legal action against the employer responsible for an injury which is usually in the form of a personal injury claim. A court might force the company to pay damages – but the reputational costs might be just as great, particularly if the case attracts media attention.
Boosting Employee Morale and Productivity
Where workers feel that they’re being looked after, their morale will tend to improve. Conversely, when workers feel that their safety is not being taken seriously, they may become demoralised. The effect of this can be contagious. A bad impression of the business can quickly spread, and this can dampen productivity, and lead to high staff turnover.
Responding to Workplace Accidents
A good workplace should have a fairly rigid procedure in place for dealing with accidents. There should be a written record of any accidents, which employees should be made aware of. In some cases, incidents should be reported under RIDDOR. This can be used to improve things further along the line.
