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A lot of businesses to keep track of in terms of the overall sense of safety that it is meant to provide, and with components such as your cybersecurity this can easily override a culture of safety.
A culture of safety within a workplace should comprise a number of key characteristics including commitment by management on safety issues, continuous organisational learning, open communication, as well as positive attitudes, behaviours, and practices related to safety by everyone. Therefore it’s easy to see that a safety culture is critical, but how and why do businesses need to improve their safety culture?
To Prevent Accidents and Injuries
Businesses need to proactively identify and address potential hazards so they can prevent accidents and injuries, so both workers and the organisation benefit. So many workplace accident lawyers have a “no-win, no-fee” approach to delivering their services, and this useful no win no fee explanation can certainly provide insight into this because the system itself can contribute to the perception that actually employees are able to take legal action against an organisation. Therefore, preventing accidents and injuries can greatly minimise significant financial costs such as compensation claims and fines, as well as the more business-oriented components like productivity and damage to equipment.
To Meet Legal Requirements
Employees have a legal duty to report certain work-related accidents, injuries, and dangerous occurrences under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), which aim to enable enforcing authorities like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to identify trends, investigate serious incidents, and improve workplace safety, including injuries to workers and non-workers. Proper reporting helps authorities to identify what the major issues are in relation to workplace safety. Meeting legal requirements like this can be a major bugbear for organisations; however, it’s a legal requirement, and learning how best to comply with it can ensure a far better attitude to workplace safety culture.
Improve Morale and Productivity
Morale and productivity are two sides to the same critical coin. Many organisations want their workers to feel motivated, which will spike their productivity rates. But when employees perceive their employer prioritises their health and safety, they will feel more secure in their jobs. The concept of security is wide-ranging, but one of the most important components is the sense of safety that isn’t literally seen but safety in terms of peace of mind and the notion that an employer has an employee’s back. Conversely, a poor safety culture can be endemic to high employee turnover, greater absenteeism, and ultimately lower morale, which is a critical talking point in modern businesses, especially with those who do not have a great work-life balance.
How Can Businesses Improve Their Safety Culture?
There are many key ways, including encouraging open communication and employee engagement, demonstrating management commitment and leadership, providing comprehensive safety training and resources, but also aligning safety with the values and goals of the organisation rather than it being a separate program. By implementing these strategies, a company can foster a far more positive and proactive safety culture, ensuring that all employees are engaged and that there is a real tangible feeling of safety within the organisation.
