Do you find Health and Safety a Hindrance?

Health and safety is often viewed by some businesses as an expense and a hindrance.

However, it is important to not lose sight of why workplace safety is so important. The below figures are taken from the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) published data for Great Britain (2021/22).

• 135 workers killed at work
• 8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which:
  • 914,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety
  • 477,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
  • 123,000 workers suffering from COVID-19 which they believe may have been from exposure to coronavirus at work
• 2,268 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2019)
• 565,000 injuries occurred at work according to the Labour Force Survey
• 61,713 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR

These figures make sober reading and highlights the need to effectively manage health and safety in the workplace. Workers suffering from any kind of work-related have all increased compared to the previous year. More action must be taken to improve these statistics.

The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) was introduced in 1974. This is the main piece of UK health and safety legislation. Since its introduction, there has been a steady decline in the number of fatalities in the workplace. The current number of workplace deaths has fallen by 85%, which works out as over 600 lives being saved every year.

HASAWA places a duty on all employers “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work” of all their employees. Employees must also play their part to ensure they are working as safely as possible.

How well do you think your current health and safety policy protects your business and your employees? Are you looking at creating a positive health and safety culture throughout your business that protects your employees and keeps them off this list?

At THSP, we understand the importance of appropriate health and safety measures and that the protection of your employees results in a stronger, safer and more productive workforce.