Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Businesses overlooking financial cost of workplace injury and illness
British businesses are losing their competitive edge because of a failure to tackle the risks of injury and illness in the workplace, the UK's leading professional health and safety body has warned.
A survey, published by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, reveals that employers are underestimating the economic benefits of worker protection and are placing it low on their list of priorities.
Work-related accidents and ill health cost businesses nearly £8 billion a year, with absenteeism, low productivity and legal bills among the financial hits faced by bosses. The overall cost of health & safety failures to the British economy, including welfare and health bills, is estimated at a staggering £22 billion*.
In a new campaign, Life Savings, IOSH will aim to set the record straight on occupational safety and health. "Rather than a burden on business, good, proportionate health & safety is being used by forward-thinking CEOs and managing directors as a driver for growth", says the Institution.
IOSH unearthed examples of employers saving £ millions through the introduction of occupational safety & health programmes. Now, the chartered body wants the Government to showcase its good practice to demonstrate how managing health & safety can dramatically cut costs.
It also wants Ministers to make sure that their austerity measures, and blitz on red tape, do not damage people's health or lead to accidents.
And the Institution is calling on the Government to reverse the decision to axe the Health & Safety Executive's advice line - a move IOSH says could deprive small businesses of vital free support.
IOSH President Steve Granger says: "Businesses are missing a trick with health & safety. When you operate in a global marketplace, and you're trying to claw your way out of recession, a happy, healthy workforce is a driver for growth.
"It's frankly wrong for Ministers and business leaders to talk about health & safety as 'red tape' and a burden on business. When done properly and proportionately, health & safety is essential to a business's long-term prospects for survival in what are difficult times for our economy.
"As well as the primary aim of saving people's lives and livelihoods, good occupational health & safety can also deliver vital cost savings and help your business to grow."
IOSH is the Chartered body for health & safety professionals. With more than 39,000 members in 85 countries, it's the world's biggest professional health & safety organisation. It sets standard, and supports, develops and connects its members with resources, guidance, events and training.
16th June 2011