If you run one of the 5.6 million businesses here in the UK, you’ll likely know just how important workplace safety is. Around 1.8 million people suffer from work-related illnesses and injuries according to recent data, showing just how common they can be.
It’s vital that you have a great health and safety system in place if you want to keep injuries to a minimum and ensure your staff members feel safe at work. There are also plenty of benefits to doing this, which we’ve taken a closer look at below. Continue reading to find out more and reap the rewards of a good health and safety system today.
What are the most common accidents in the workplace?
Some workplaces are more dangerous than others but each one poses some risk to the people working within it. The most common injuries that the UK workforce faces include:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Falling objects
- Lifting and carrying strains
What is a health and safety system?
Health and safety systems are a set of processes, practices and policies designed to keep your workers free from danger and injury. The goal is to minimise the number of accidents, which should then reduce injuries or fatal incidents.
What should my health and safety system contain?
The secret to any good health and safety system is to prevent accidents and reduce the impact they have on your team. That’s why your health and safety system should include the following:
- A risk assessment for every part of your workspace
- Adequate training for all functions of a job
- Items like thread lock to make basic tasks easier and safer to navigate
- Personal protective equipment to mitigate damage caused by an accident
- Inspections by external professionals to ensure your workspace is fit for purpose
- Regularly monitor and update your policies and procedures
What are the benefits of implementing one in your business?
Fewer accidents
Fewer accidents are likely to occur if your business has a good system in place. While this is good for the wellbeing of your workers, it’s even better for your pocket. Accidents can lead to medical bills and potential lawsuits, so keeping them to a minimum is beneficial.
Increased productivity
The right health and safety policies should mean your employees can work efficiently as they won’t be slowed down by worries of an accident. The feeling of a safe working environment can boost their confidence as well, which could result in better quality work.
Happier staff members
Overall, your staff members should feel as though you care about their wellbeing while they work, which is invaluable. This can lead to them working harder for you and can help you retain and attract great talent to drive your business forward.