TOPIC: THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Introduction

Human resources are one of the most important features of many businesses. A business’ success
relies heavily on the effectiveness to which this resource is managed. Policies and practices used
by the firm, set out the standards to which they seek to aspire. They are designed to govern the
operation of the business; especially in today’s economy where there is such a rise in service
industries. In this regard, this paper seek to highlight the importance of Workplace Health and
safety to the business, to develop an understanding of how its effective management can affect
the performance of a business, outline how this can be effectively carried out with the interest of
the company in mind.

It is often said that, “the health of a nation is the wealth of a nation” (Fraser, 2004), the same
concept applies to business. The health and safety of a company’s human resource is an
enormous contributor to the success of that business. Human resources account for a large
proportion of many company’s’ costs; it is the people that invariably drive a business.

Importance Of Maintaining Workplace Health and Safety

There are reasons why a business should maintain a safe and healthy workplace. It purges the
environment of possible risks to everyone that uses the facility. An organization’s productivity is
directly related to the health and safety of its workforce. Therefore, proper health and safety
practices safeguard the productivity of its employees. When the workforce is unhealthy it affects
productivity; quantity and quality. Proper practices maintain the health of the workers and it
protects human rights; the human right to a safe and healthy environment and the human right to
a safe and healthy workplace (PDHRE, n.d.)

A major reason for maintaining health and safety in the workplace is that failure to do so cost too
much. The consequences of not up keeping proper health and safety practices can range from
having expensive monetary payouts, to death (users of the workplace). Other repercussions are

Lower productivity levels – sick or injured worker do not produce the same quality and quantity
as do health workers.

Poor quality products and services – the direct relation between quality of workforce and quality
of products or service they produce.

High levels of complaints from customers – lower quality of products or services delivered to
customers would make them unhappy.

Loss of customers and subsequently lower revenues – if the quality of the production isn’t
addressed it can result in a loss in the customer base and later loss in revenues because of lower
sales.

Higher costs – this increase in cost can come from different sources including: payment of
insurance claims for damages, cost of substitution for sick or injured workers (training and
wages), and benefits for sick or injured workers.

Higher staff turnover – as persons get sick or injured on the job they tend to leave. If the health
and safety practices of the workplace are dreadful employees would not stay therefore higher
turnover.

Poor industrial relations – poor health and safety practices would attract attention from unions
who fight for the rights of employees.
Thus, addressing safety and health issues in the workplace saves the employer money and adds
value to the business (OSHA, n.d.). When workers remain safe and healthy, the direct cost-
savings to businesses include:

 lower workers’ compensation insurance costs

Safety and health also result in substantial decreases in indirect cost (OSHA, n.d.). This is as a
result of:

 increased productivity
 higher quality products
 increased morale
 better labour/management relations
 reduced turnover
 better use of human resources

Employees and their families benefit from safety and health because (OSHA, n.d.):

 their incomes are protected; no financial shock because of illness or injury

Workplace health and safety extend way beyond the boundaries of the worksite. The families of
workers and other users of the worksite can also be impacted by health and safety in the
workplace (OSHA, n.d.).
It is of a misconception that health and safety in the workplace only entails ensuring that there
aren’t any hazards on the worksite however it should be noted that the hazard can be the
employees themselves. Employees who are sick (communicable/non communicable), who have a
drug or alcohol problem, who have psychological problems can also pose great threat to the
health and safety of others in the workplace. Violent employees can also be classified as a hazard
(Cascio, 1998). In this regard testing of the individual together with the worksite is necessary;
drug and alcohol testing, psychological tests etc.

Whose responsibility is it?

The health and safety of a workplace should be part of the business’ HR strategy. It should be an
initiative that is deeply rooted into the culture of a business. No one person should be responsible
for it. Given this, all employees, supervisors and managers should undergo training in this area to
suit their position. Managers especially should possess an attitude that support good health and
safety practices because it is usually mirrored by employees; if the manager care about health
and safety, the employees will do too (OSHA, n.d.).

Both the employer and the employee are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is healthy
and safe for all users. Employers are legally obligated to maintain and provide a working
environment that is conducive for comfortable operations. They also have to provide safe
systems of work and facilities that would sustain the welfare of its employees. They are also
responsible for providing employees with any information, instruction, training and/or
supervision that is needed to ensure that workers are safe during operations no matter the job. As
a result of this responsibility to ensure employees are safe at work, an employer may institute
regulations and policies that would call for the attention from and compliance of employees.

Employees are also expected to play a part in ensuring proper health and safety of the workplace.
They are to make certain their own personal health and safety and that of other persons in the
workplace; whether colleague, customer, supplier, etc. Importantly, workers are expected to
adhere to the directions given by management to guarantee health and safety. If workers are to
ignore these directives it creates a hazard in the workplace not only for themselves but also for
others.
Effective management of the resource

Each workplace is different and dynamic. Therefore the strategy used to effectively manage the
human resource should also be different and dynamic. This strategy should include clear and
concise plans for the addressing the types of accidents that and exposing the health and safety
hazards that could occur at the worksite (OSHA, n.d.).

An effective plan, as based upon the safety and health program management guidelines given by
OSHA in January 1989 is the Four Point workplace Program.

The Four Point Workplace Program as its name suggests, it is a program that contains four
elements in approaching optimum effective health and safety standards. These elements

Commitment and Employee Involvement

The manager or management team leads the way, by setting policy, assigning and supporting
responsibility, setting an example and involving employees.

Worksite Analysis

The worksite is continually analyzed to identify all existing and potential hazards.

Hazard Prevention and Control

Methods to prevent or control existing or potential hazards are put in place and maintained.

Training for Employees, Supervisors and Managers

Managers, supervisors and employees are trained to understand and deal with worksite hazards.

Conclusion:

The success of a business rests to a large degree on the quality of the workforce – successful
management of this crucial resource is critical (Biz/ed, 2010)
The Employer has a responsibility to ensure that his/her employees are safe at work, and so may
institute regulations and policies to ensure this. It is now the responsibility of the employee to
make certain that they follow these rules. As an employee, one has rights and responsibilities for
their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues and by extension the public (customers) (OSHA,
n.d.).” The key to the success of a safety and health plan is to see it as a part of the business
operation and to see it reflected in the day-to-day operations. As the implemented plan is
incorporated into the business culture, health and safety consciousness will become engrained
into the psyche of everyone. (OSHA, n.d.). Protecting people on the job is in everyone’s best
interest – our economy, our communities, our fellow workers and our families. Safety and health
add value to businesses, workplaces and lives (OSHA, n.d.).