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5 Reasons Every Business Should Have a Health and Safety Policy

Health and safety (H&S) is a critical component of any business, regardless of size or industry. In fact, businesses with over five employees are required to make the necessary health and safety arrangements, such as a health and safety policy, under the Management of Health and

Safety at Work Regulations. If you have fewer than five workers, you won’t need a health and safety policy but may be asked to explain your health and safety processes in writing.

While most people associate health and safety guidelines with high-risk sectors like manufacturing and construction, businesses in any industry have health and safety risks that need.

Case in point: HSE figures show that accommodation and food service activities had the third-highest rate of workplace injuries in 2022–2021, while workers in the education sector had the third-highest rate of work-related ill-health.

What Is Workplace Health and Safety?

Workplace health and safety refers to a broad range of workplace activities designed to sensibly manage risks that could injure or cause harm (e.g., illness and trauma) to workers, visitors, customers, and the general public.

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Effective workplace health and safety management is characterized by solid leadership, setting the tone for the entire organization and employees aware of their health and safety responsibilities.

Businesses are required by law to be mindful of health and safety as part of their duty of care to their workers. But there are many other reasons to make your company’s health and safety a priority.

1. Health and Safety Practices Help Reduce Absence Rates

HSE estimates that around 38.8 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and non-fatal workplace injuries. Protecting your workers from threats that lead to injuries and poor physical and mental health goes a long way toward keeping people healthy and reducing your overall absence rate.

2. Healthy Workers Are Productive Workers

Research by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the chartered body for safety and health professionals, shows that a proactive approach to health and safety practices is good for staff. Workers that feel positive about their organization’s safety climate are more likely to report better health and well-being.

Furthermore, employers with sound health and safety practices tend to be more profitable and report fewer accidents and lost workdays. As Protext AI explained, a safe work environment boosts morale, increases productivity, minimizes liabilities, and improves customer satisfaction.

3. Health and Safety Practices Address the Problem of Poor Mental Health

Contrary to popular belief, workplace health and safety doesn’t just involve physical health. It also includes aspects of mental health, such as burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for the most number of lost days (21.6 days) due to work-related ill health in 2019–2020.

Workplace health and safety training that addresses these issues ensures that mental health challenges are accounted for.

4. It Makes You a More Attractive Employer

Job seekers, particularly millennials and Generation Z, look for employers who share their values. Part of this includes caring about employee health and wellbeing. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, both generational cohorts care most about employee wellbeing, ethical and transparent leadership, and diversity.

Developing and implementing a health and safety program beyond your legal obligations is a great way to attract these workers and improve your employer’s brand.

4. It’s the Right Thing to Do

The presence of the legislation should not be the only factor compelling your organization to care about your workers’ health and safety. To put it simply, making sure your employees work in a safe environment that supports their physical and mental well-being is the morally right thing to do.

Author: Alex Minett

author Alex Minett

Alex Minett is the Head of Product & Markets at CHAS, the UK’s leading health, and safety assessment scheme and provider of risk mitigation, compliance, and supply chain management services.

With a working history in the audit and management consulting industry, Alex is experienced in implementing visions and strategies. Skilled in negotiation, management, and business development, he is passionate about driving CHAS in its mission to safeguard organizations from risk in the UK.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-minett-hd2018/

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