Addressing health and safety should not be seen as a regulatory burden: it offers significant opportunities. Benefits can include:
•reduced costs;
•reduced risks;
•lower employee absence and turnover rates;
•fewer accidents;
•lessened threat of legal action;
•improved standing among suppliers and partners;
•better reputation for corporate responsibility among investors, customers and communities;
•increased productivity, because employees are healthier, happier and better motivated.
Case Study: Sainsburys
An external health and safety audit identified a need to develop a unified approach, and also recommended more direction from the board, to develop an effective strategy.
The result was a radical revision of the company's approach, including:
•the group human resources director creating a health and safety vision, supported by a plan with targets over three years;
•training on health and safety responsibilities was introduced for all board directors.
This has resulted in:
•the board providing a role model for health and safety behaviour;
•17% reduction in sickness absence;
•28% reduction in reportable incidents;
•improved morale and pride in working for the company;
•raising the profile of health and safety so it is becoming embedded in the culture of the organisation.
Good health and safety will benefit companies of all sizes, for any more information or help with improving your organisations health and safety please email gwilson@dragoncompliance.co.uk or call me on 07411214288.
Knowledge of health and safety is not enough, to be successful within health and safety you need to be passionate.
