Leading the charge: why should managers prioritise health and safety?

Managing health and safety effectively is not just a regulatory requirement. Focusing on health and safety can transform the culture of your organisation.

Here we share the compelling moral, legal, and financial reasons why managing health and safety effectively should be top priority for all organisations.

Moral reasons

At the heart of effective health and safety management is a moral obligation to protect the wellbeing of employees.

In 2023/24, 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents and 561,000 people sustained an accident at work. Behind every statistic is a person whose life has been adversely affected by what has happened to them, along with their family, friends, colleagues and employer.

Every individual who walks into your workplace has the right to return home safe and healthy at the end of the day. This moral duty is not just about avoiding accidents – it’s about creating a work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and cared for.

A strong health and safety culture can lead to higher employee morale, increased job satisfaction, and greater loyalty. When employees know that their wellbeing is a priority, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. This commitment can translate into better productivity, lower absenteeism, and a stronger sense of community within the workplace.

For example, consider the case of the manufacturing company, Alcoa. Under the leadership of Paul O’Neill, they prioritised employee safety through regular training and rigorous safety protocols. As a result, workplace injuries reduced, and they saw a significant boost in employee morale and productivity.

Legal reasons

Although employers hold overarching responsibility for health and safety in their workplace, managers, like all employees, are also ‘duty holders’ with accountability for health and safety under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Managers are responsible for assessing reasonably foreseeable risks and reducing those risks as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.

There are three tests to determine a ‘reasonably foreseeable’ risk:

• Common knowledge – general awareness or understanding that an average person can be expected to have.
• Industry knowledge – an understanding of the risks inherent to a particular industry or profession.
• Expert knowledge – the knowledge that you, as a particular expert in your field, could be expected to have.

Reducing risks ‘as far as reasonably practicable’ means weighing the level of risk against the time, money and trouble that is needed to control it.

It is important to know that failure to comply with legal obligations can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines, imprisonment, damage to a company’s reputation and even the closure of the business.

In 2002, Gill Beckingham, a design services manager, was charged with manslaughter after seven people died and 180 became ill from legionella. The court found that she was responsible for cancelling a maintenance contract for an air-conditioning unit that caused the outbreak. She was found guilty of breaching Section 7 of the Health and Safety Act which states that employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.

Legal compliance also involves staying up to date with the latest regulations and ensuring that all employees are aware of and adhere to health and safety policies. Regular training, risk assessments, and audits are essential components of a robust health and safety management system.

Financial reasons

Poor health and safety practices can lead to accidents, injuries, and illnesses, all of which come with significant costs. These costs include direct expenses such as medical bills, compensation claims, and legal fees, as well as indirect costs like lost productivity, employee turnover, and damage to the company’s reputation.

The Health and Safety Executive estimates that workplace injuries and ill health cost the UK economy £20.7 billion annually. This figure highlights the financial consequences of neglecting health and safety.

On the other hand, investing in health and safety can lead to substantial financial savings by reducing the likelihood of accidents and the associated costs.

For instance, when DHL implemented a comprehensive health and safety programme, including regular equipment maintenance and employee training, workplace accidents significantly reduced. This not only saved the company money in terms of reduced compensation claims and legal fees but also improved efficiency and productivity.

Organisations that prioritise health and safety are also more likely to attract and retain top talent. In a competitive job market, employees are increasingly looking for employers who demonstrate a commitment to their wellbeing. A strong health and safety record can enhance your organisation’s reputation and make it an employer of choice.

IOSH health and safety training for managers

In today’s business environment, where the expectations of employees, customers, and regulators are higher than ever, effective health and safety management is essential.

Praxis42 is proud to offer IOSH Managing Safely, the industry standard course in health and safety management.

Developed by well-respected health and safety professionals, in partnership with our experienced eLearning team, this interactive, online course covers all aspects of health and safety requirements, including manager’s responsibilities, how to identify and manage workplace risks and conduct accident investigations.

Our course can be downloaded as a SCORM and hosted on your own LMS, or you can take the course through our dedicated LMS, SHINE.

To find out more about IOSH Managing Safely, please visit https://praxis42.com/elearning/iosh-managing-safely-course/ or contact our friendly team on 0203 011 4242/[email protected]