Occupational safety, health protection and the prevention of accidents at work are fundamental for every company. Occupational health and safety not only serves to fulfil legal requirements, but also offers numerous advantages for everyone involved. In this article, we explain exactly what these are.
Occupational safety: Definition and benefits
What are the benefits of occupational safety have for companies, employees and society?
Demo
Definition of occupational health & safety
First of all, there are a few things to bear in mind if you want to use the terms in the area of occupational safety correctly. Basically you can say:
Occupational health and safety = occupational safety + health protection.
The specific implementation of these requirements naturally looks different in a laboratory than on a construction site or in an office. However, the main objective is always the same: Accidents and work-related illnesses should be prevented.
Occupational health and safety ensures that all employees have a safe and "humane" workplace. This includes, for example
- Accident prevention (e.g. warning signs where there is a risk of slipping)
- Avoiding work-related health hazards (e.g. handling toxic substances in production)
- Decent working conditions (e.g. ergonomics, room climate, etc.)
- Specialists for occupational safety (e.g. company doctors, safety officers)
Benefits of occupational safety for companies:
Compliance with legal regulations: Companies - regardless of their size - are obliged to take care of occupational safety. This is a result of the 'Occupational Health and Safety Act', the 'Act on Occupational Physicians, Safety Engineers and Other Occupational Safety Specialists' and various specialised requirements. Strong occupational safety strengthens legal certainty and reduces the risk of fines or administrative penalties.
Healthy employees are productive employees:
If you're ill, you can't work. That's why a safe and decent workplace is essential for employee performance and motivation. In addition, investing in occupational safety can also be a piece of the puzzle for employer branding and building a reputable employer brand - an important competitive advantage.
Reduction of accidents and sick leave:
Occupational health and safety measures prevent accidents and health problems, thereby reducing downtime. Investing in ergonomic workstations or equipment for transporting heavy loads may put a strain on the budget at first, but it pays off in the long term as it benefits the health of employees and thus their performance.
Enhancing the corporate image:
Occupational safety is an important component of operational risk management. The fact is that reports of serious accidents at work cause lasting damage to a company's reputation and leave a bad taste in the mouths of employees, customers, investors and potential applicants. It is therefore better to do the right thing and protect the health of employees.
Long-term cost savings:
Companies do not have to be liable for accidents if no accidents occur. Logical. And this can have a positive impact on insurance premiums and avoid costs for legal disputes and the like. The money saved in this way can be reinvested in important company objectives.
Benefits of occupational safety for employees:
Of course, employees also benefit from occupational safety & health measures:
Fewer hazards in everyday life:
Especially when it comes to transport and heavy loads, transport aids are worth their weight in gold and make work easier for employees. However, incorrectly laid cables, broken sockets and other safety risks can also have serious consequences. With the right occupational safety measures, these hazards can be minimised in everyday working life and accidents prevented.
Increased well-being:
All in all, a safe workplace is essential for everyone to feel comfortable on site. This increases the health and well-being of employees. As a result, employees are more productive and show greater job satisfaction. Employees can concentrate better on their tasks and achieve better results.
Overall, it can be assumed that the quality of work increases. This can also be measured in lower staff turnover and comparatively low absenteeism. And this in turn improves the working atmosphere in the company and saves on expensive recruitment costs.
The benefits for society:
Cost reduction for society:
If employees suffer health problems due to accidents at work, this is associated with high costs for society. These include, for example, costs for early retirement or the loss of qualified employees and thus lower productivity. Experts estimate that work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses cost around 3.3% of gross domestic product in the EU.
Environmental protection:
Companies that handle toxic waste improperly or do not train their employees in how to deal with it, for example, also pose a risk to society and the environment. Every company is therefore responsible for ensuring that everyone, from managers to trainees, acts responsibly.
Occupational health & safety training for employees
Effective occupational safety offers numerous advantages for those involved. For successful implementation, all aspects of occupational health and safety must be taken into account and organised according to the workplace. This includes, for example, the prevention of accidents, (preventative) health protection and regular health and safety training.
We offer occupational health and safety training for all companies that do not really know how to instruct their employees in occupational health and safety. Our e-learning specialists provide training on the most important basics of occupational safety in the office and in production.
