Workplace safety is of the utmost importance in every industry – every employee deserves to work in a secure environment. Providing the right working conditions is not only a duty of employers – it’s also their moral responsibility. Every employee should get back home from work in good health. Imagine if you got a call hearing your loved one suffered an injury at the workplace. Even the thought of it is frightening, and no one ever wants that to happen. This is one of the main reasons why creating a safe work environment is paramount.
There are multiple consequences of not ensuring safety at the workplace. And they are detrimental to your business, as you can lose customers, revenue, and reputation. In short, your overall business can be ruined. Fortunately, you can avoid this catastrophic scenario by implementing essential safety procedures. Here are our top reasons why every organisation should prioritise workplace safety:
Reduced risk of injuries
Unfortunately, workplace injuries are common – according to statistics, 1.7 million employees suffer from work-related illnesses. But in most cases, these injuries could have been prevented with the proper safety protocols. When a worker sustains an injury at work, the effects can be devastating. And the worker’s life isn’t the only one affected. Many things can go wrong for you and your business as well. You can get substantial compensation claims and lose investors and customers. Plus, your company won’t have the best reputation. To prevent these things, it’s vital to spot workplace hazards.
Do a detailed inspection of the worker’s equipment and ensure it is safe to use. You should also examine the whole building and check if any conditions can increase the risk of injury. Once you collect this information, present it to your employees and explain how they can prevent accidents. Encourage workers to report any hazard they notice. That way, you lower the chances of not knowing about some dangers, as your employees will freely talk about it with you.
Decreased absenteeism
Regardless of the severity of the injury, an employee will need some time off to recover. And absenteeism will negatively affect workplace productivity– particularly in a company where there are few workers, and it’s challenging to find a replacement. What’s more, your clients might establish a connection with a specific employee and enjoy being served by them when they conduct business with you. If the employee is frequently absent, this can cut down customer service time and eliminate the familiarity previously leveraged. Undoubtedly, you don’t want to lose customers; thus, workplace safety is vital for your business to run smoothly.
Ensuring safe work conditions matters because it can considerably lower the risk of injuries and naturally reduce absenteeism. And since the chances of workplace injuries are slim, you can expect your employees to perform at their full potential.
Enhanced productivity
Unless you ensure a safe work environment, it’s only natural for employees to be concerned about their health and safety. This is especially true for high-risk sites, such as construction and factories. The last thing an employee wants is to feel like they are in danger at work. By prioritising workplace safety, you ensure they will come to work with enthusiasm.
Implementing safety programs can raise your workers’ morale. What’s more, as you show employees their health matters to you, they’ll provide loyalty in return. Every worker appreciates an employer who cares about their well-being. This will naturally lead to improved productivity, as employees feel motivated to complete their tasks effectively.
Fewer employees’ compensation claims
If someone in your organisation gets injured, you will receive a compensation claim. If the cost of their treatment is significant, you risk losing a lot of money. According to the experts of No Win No Fee Solicitors UK, workers could not only get compensation for general damages but also for special damages. Depending on the severity of their injury, the compensation could be around £14,690 to £266,740. It’s not worth the risk – especially when compensation claims are preventable. If you ensure safety at the workplace, you won’t have to deal with them.
Rather than paying for the treatment, do your best to put the employee’s health above all. You can considerably raise morale among workers by providing proper health insurance coverage.
Better reputation
If people aren’t satisfied with their actual work environment, they’ll look for a position in another company. Unless they feel protected under your leadership, they’ll leave at the earliest opportunity. Words spread fast, and once other people hear about the lack of safety at your organisation, they will avoid you.
Let’s face it: image in business is everything. Clients won’t want to associate with a venture that has a bad reputation. This is a sad scenario, but it won’t become a reality if you put safety protocols in place. By ensuring a secure work environment, you’ll keep your reputation intact and encourage workers to stay loyal to your organisation. Plus, you increase your chances of skilled candidates showing up for interviews at your company.
Decreased risk of fatalities
More often than not, severe injuries – and worse, deaths – occur during emergencies because safety protocols haven’t been established. Losing a worker due to a severe injury will likely cause the other employees to panic. When implementing safety features, make sure employees are informed and know exactly what to do in case of an accident. Clear guidelines will save lives. Workers should know where to find fire-fighting equipment in case of a fire emergency. Informing them of clear exits in dangerous situations will prevent stampedes in obstructed exits.
In case of a fatality, your chances of losing a good portion of the workplace are high. Not only that, but you’ll also lose your brand’s reputation and may even be compelled to put an end to your business. Educating employees on workplace safety is a critical step in reducing fatalities – and protecting the lives of others should be a sufficient reason to implement safety procedures.
Final thoughts
Workplace safety has plenty of benefits, both for you and your employees. It’s a win-win situation for all the parties involved. By creating a safe working environment for workers, you ensure your business will run smoothly.