Benefits of a Well Managed Workplace Health & Safety Program
For this assignment I chose to discuss the importance of a well-managed safety program. A well-managed safety program can generate several benefits for both employers and employees. Effective health and safety program reduce illness and disability by addressing the hazards and risks of the environment. By reducing both physical and mental stressors workplace environments feel more engaging and inclusive for all.
I believe that there has been some debate regarding what exactly a health and safety program can achieve for a workplace. Everyone that I have spoken to seems to have a different perspective of what it is. I know from personal experience that employers often ask about the benefits of having a safety program and how it specifically contributes to the company. Below I will list the positive benefits associated with having a properly managed health and safety program.
Employers
Employers can just say that having a health and safety program is the law and call it a day, which is true to some extent, but the benefits go above and beyond that. When implementing a well managed safety program, employers gain a positive reputation, they gain financially, and day to day operations run smoothly. Employers achieve a good reputation as it shows their employees that they care about their health, safety and overall wellbeing. In many cases reduced absenteeism and increased productivity is a by product of a proper program. Other positive benefits include reduced health care costs and reduced fine and litigation costs. Workplace safety programs improve staff moral and encourage employees to contribute. Effective safety programs assist in the recruitment of the organization which results in stronger and long-lasting employees. Overall employers often find that changes made to improve or implement workplace safety and health programs can result in significant improvements to their organization’s productivity and financial performance (Hodgins, Fleming, & Griffiths, 2016). One example I can cite from my workplace, having implemented a well managed safety program is a reduction in WCB rates, and injury rates. Having the company adopt a program in which closely monitors and corrects performance has helped us save value in the six-figure range.
Employees
I believe that employees do well under the guidance of a properly run safety program. Through proper training, employees develop skills and become well acquainted in the potential hazards and wellness issues that they face in their daily activities. Employees will have an increased level of motivation, reduced stress and sense of well being. They will benefit from increased job satisfaction, feeling safe, secure and healthy, with reduced medical leave (Hodgins, Fleming, & Griffiths, 2016). Employees will want to continue to increase their skills for health and protection. I believe that employees are more loyal to a company when they are taken care of. Employees are proud to be part of an organization that takes such great care, has civility and respect. In most cases when a proper safety program is well managed the employee’s family and home life improves. One example I can cite for the employees’ perspective is at my workplace. We have a diverse well managed safety program and it has led to positive feedback from employees, they are happy to see that substitution and specialized use of PPE has reduced soreness and left them more energized to be able to go to the gym and engage in a fitness program outside of work. This has helped them have a better sense of well being and strength, with some minor dietary changes and physical fitness, I have seen tremendous influence with their family life and overall well being. I am happy to receive feedback like this knowing that what I am doing is contributing to better lives for both the employee and the employer.
Reference
Hodgins, M., Fleming, P., & Griffiths, J. (2016). Promoting health and well-being in the
workplace: beyond the statutory imperative. London: Palgrave Macmillan Education.
