Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a growing concern for organizations worldwide. Offering health insurance does not suffice since several hazards exist within organizational premises, impacting workers’ mental and physical well-being. It’s crucial to consider the conditions and surroundings of the employee’s workplace. Employees’ physical and mental health is directly and significantly affected by their surroundings, consequently affecting their efficiency and productivity.
An organization’s most important asset is its human resource, as it directly affects a company’s performance in the long run. There are several measures a company can follow to take care of its employees; providing a healthy and safe workplace is one of them.
Let’s explore why you should put employees’ health safety at the top of your priority list.
1. Reduce legal risks
Occupational accidents are an inevitable part of a business; all workplaces should have preventive measures to ensure their employees’ safety. Not doing so, the company will likely face fines and reputational damage. And this is especially crucial for construction firms, where employees are at greater risk of health and safety hazards. Most importantly, all hazardous chemicals and flammable materials should be handled cautiously, and employees should be trained to do so.
It’s worthwhile to provide induction training on occupational hazards. Likewise, have employees trained through an occupational health and safety bachelor’s degree online to ensure proper compliance with safety measures. Offering online programs on safety and health standards is highly crucial for workers who work around heavy equipment, dangerous material, and hazardous chemicals.
Such employee training helps companies achieve certain safety standards and avoid tribunal fines. In addition to avoiding legal fines, achieving certain safety certifications also boosts corporate image.
2. Keep employees satisfied
Providing a safe workplace and paying attention to health hazards helps employees work with lower stress, thus keeping them satisfied in their working conditions. That is how they can focus more on work-related tasks without any stressors distracting them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational safety was an alarming problem. Companies that could not entirely shift their workforce to remote work had to be vigilant about following strict precautions. Many companies trained employees to continue working at offices while ensuring strict COVID-19 measures. Companies also provided free COVID-19 testing services to ensure the workplace was kept stress free and healthy.
3. Improve employee productivity
Construction remains one of the most dangerous working environments in any industry. With a time clock app for construction, employers have the opportunity to prioritize employee health and safety while ensuring that operations remain efficient. The time clock app can provide a comprehensive overview of time on site and can incorporate additional features like geofencing, location tracking, and time-lapse recording to help ensure that employees are taking necessary breaks. Moreover, time clock apps also allow construction site managers to closely monitor progress throughout the project to maximize productivity and ensure that workers are meeting milestones on time.
Paying special attention to workplace safety minimizes the chances of accidents. It greatly reduces absenteeism resulting from occupational accidents or health hazards. When employees are frequent and present at work, productivity does not halt. Unfortunately, the issue of absenteeism and replacing employees due to occupational hazards adversely affect productivity for companies in the long term. Investing in good quality safety gear at construction sites, for example, will minimize the chances of employees hurting themselves and taking days off work.
4. Minimize costs
Companies that achieve safety standards also enjoy insurance premiums and reduce unexpected costs. Moreover, following precautionary workplace measures to limit communicable diseases, slipping and falling, chemical and gas leakages, electrocution, and risks of an explosion will help the company save money on employees’ medical expenses, compensation costs, and the like.
For instance, using an aluminum formwork system in construction projects ensures structural integrity and enhances worker safety, leading to fewer accidents and potential savings on project delays and rework. Emphasizing safety measures benefits both employees and the company’s bottom line.
According to the UN, around 2.78 million workers die yearly from occupational accidents and diseases. Likewise, around 374 million workers experience non-fatal occupational accidents. Accidents at work cause high costs to companies which is why companies should take occupational safety seriously.
5. Lower employee turnover
Businesses that face losses or incur increasing annual costs find that labor turnover is often one of the main causes. It is critical to retain employees and keep labor turnover to a minimum. Providing employees with a comfortable and safe work environment is a proven way to retain employees. When employees see that their health and safety matter to a company, they are less likely to leave. And eventually become loyal employees of the organization. Additionally, having an efficient health and safety culture than your competitors will help you retain your workforce.
6. Boost business performance
Prioritizing health and safety necessitates considering the entire workforce in the hierarchy. Establishing a positive and safe organizational culture throughout the organization consequently improves business performance in the long run. That is because it brings a positive outlook to the employees’ work alongside boosting productivity. Hence, a content workforce produces quality work with minimal procedural errors.
Moreover, encouraging safe and healthy practices across the organization places the company on the list of socially responsible firms, earning a great reputation as an employer. Government agencies and investors usually prefer investing in companies that prioritize corporate social responsibility.
7. Increase Employee Engagement
A good health and safety culture involves the entire organization. Ideally, all levels of the hierarchy are kept in mind while developing it. Everyone in the hierarchy may have different health and safety requirements, and catering to them is important. For instance, the safety requirements of those operating outside office premises will differ from those with desk jobs. Hence, drafting safety policies that align with worker responsibility limits hazards and boosts engagement.
A safety culture consequently improves employee engagement and removes workplace stressors. For example, when a company offers flexible working hours and breaks from strenuous shifts, it contributes greatly to the quality of output they produce. Cooperative management and a physically and psychologically safe environment significantly enhance employee engagement and dedication to work.
8. Enhance employee morale
In a competitive economy, organizations require increased productivity levels at lower costs. Some might avoid investing heavily in developing health and safety programs. This negligent act will probably lead to lower productivity and increased labor turnover in the long run. Therefore, it’s advisable to incorporate basic health and safety procedures. For example, routine medical examinations and fitness and exercise programs can be incorporated. Such programs lead to content employees with higher morale.
Conclusion
Organizations should put considerable effort into developing a health and safety program to achieve positive business outcomes. Prioritizing health and safety standards not only ensures the security of employees but customers as well. Failing to follow health and safety measures for your workplace is not only a poor business practice, but it also promotes a negative business image. Such businesses eventually fail to attract investors, agencies, and employees. On the other hand, it is advisable to value the health and safety of your business’s stakeholders to build a reputable business image and become a socially responsible organization.