Ensuring you understand the importance of health and safety in the workplace is fundamental for companies and employees. For example, as a leader, ensuring the best safety conditions in the workplace can help you create a safer and better space for clients and employees to interact.
Local and national occupational guidelines help employers and employees maintain a healthy and safe work environment. It’s important that all staff in an organization have some understanding of what it takes to make a safe work environment, and it is the role of management to enforce this.
Maintaining compliance with the guidelines will improve and facilitate overall employee productivity and comfort. This will translate directly to the company’s growth.
Why is health and safety paramount in the workplace?
Every year, several million workdays are lost due to work-related illnesses. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates 36.8 million working days were lost due to non-fatal work injuries in 2021/22.
Employers must understand the importance of health and safety and the consequences if ignored. Here are some of the benefits of a healthy and safe workplace.
Increased efficiency and productivity
A work environment that complies with health and safety standards is more likely to have productive employees. Productivity often translates into completing work in less time, lower costs, and company growth.
One of the ways a company can promote a safe work environment that enhances productivity is through workplace drug testing kits. When a worker consumes alcohol or drugs, their reaction times, judgment, concentration, and performance at work will be impaired.
Poor judgment puts all employees at significant risk of harm. Matrix Diagnostics equips employers with knowledge and screening products to help create successful drug testing programmes and ensure their workplace is operating safely.
Better morale
Safety and health in the workplace improve the relationship between employees and employers. Creating a safe environment shows the employees that you care about them and are willing to invest in their future.
Improved reputation
A healthy and safe work environment can go a long way in making an excellent impression on potential and current clients. A reputation for good health and safety practices can attract potential investors who consider workplace safety to be important. More clients or investors means more company growth and income.
Reduced compensation cost
Companies have to bear the expenses of claims of employees and the hiring of new staff when accidents occur. Not to mention, the events come with a great deal of paperwork. Thus, developing a safe and healthy environment is much better than reducing the probability of such occurrences.
Running a company where your staff and employees wear the right protection lets potential customers and employees know that you care and are attentive. For instance, if your welders are not using a welding mask then they are at risk of injury. This also puts you at a greater risk of being sued by them should they get injured. You could put up reminders around your site so people don’t forget their protective gear.
Conclusion
Both employers and employees are responsible for upholding health and safety practices in the workplace, but it is the primary role of an employer to ensure the workplace is safe for staff to work in. They must control workplace risks and take responsible steps, such as supplying workplace drug testing kits, to minimize or eliminate them.
