The Bottom Line Secret Every Business Should Know ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Times the investment, what a Business Return? Banning conkers, stepladders are banned by the HSE, no throwing sweets at the pantomime, no hanging baskets, .
Trapeze Artists to Wear Safety Helmets, what a picture that conjures up. Mischievous stories like this do nothing to help the image of health and safety, but it has secret for saving money that no business can afford to ignore.
Implementation costs can be saved at a rate of 12 to 1 just by running a good health and safety management system. A bottom line improvement of 12 times the investment has to at least be investigated if not implemented immediately.
Take a trip to the HSE website for proof www.hse.gov.uk/business/casestudy.htm and see the real case studies for yourself, instead of rolling your eyes in disbelief.
Still dubious?
"We've seen it all before, we don't have accidents here, there is no need for health and safety getting in the way."
There are always doubters and those who do not like change, it'll never happen to them, the hospitals are full of them.
If implemented properly a good health and safety management system, improves business image to clients, working practice, productivity, morale, lessens absence rates, lessens staff turnover rates, saves on training new recruits, reduces the chance of insurance claims, and could get you a reduction in insurance premiums.
An accident investigation alone will probably cost a business around 5000
Moral, Legal and Financial are the three significant reasons for business' to implement a good health and safety management system
Can any business afford to miss out on these potentially large financial cost savings? Especially in these days of the credit crunch and shrinking markets. An practical and efficient health and safety management system can deliver astonishing financial returns.
Contrary to the adverse publicity, health and safety does not have to be restrictive. I recently did some work with a school local to my home. The headmaster is very proactive in getting the children to take part in risk/adventure activities as part of their all round education.
The pupils canoe and build rafts to go on the river that borders the school land, in which they also swim. They go camping, night walking, potholing, paintball with the army, mattress surfing (dont ask) and the climbing wall has been ordered.
They take to the hockey field with enthusiasm and an ethos reminiscent of St. Trinians.
They have, for a relatively small school, a disproportionate number of Area and County level sports representatives, in one of Englands largest counties. They do not appear to feel restricted by risk assessment in the slightest.
Have risk assessments been done? Of course. Are they restrictive? No. They provide sensible guidelines to staff and pupils to manage the risk without wrapping the children in cotton wool.
Managing risks for themselves builds confidence and a rounded character for life after school, the parents do not object, in fact they actively encourage the children to take part. The excitement ignites the childrens imaginations
They wont understand about risk if they're wrapped in cotton wool and they wont have much fun either.
If your workforce had the kind of positive can do attitude that the pupils of this school show, you will enjoy the added bonus of saving costs through a good health and safety management system which is progressive not regressive.
Would we have a Great Britain if our ancestors had not taken risks?
The big stick downwards is much less productive than involving everybody from the grass roots up and valuing their opinion. These criteria should be used in business, health and safety is cost effective, but it needs to be embraced by and communicated to the whole workforce.
Manager Oh yes we have risk assessments
Auditor Where are they?
Manager In that box file on the top shelf Auditor
Have the staff read and understood them? A hush falls on the room.
How common do you think that response is, does it sound familiar? You wont make the cost savings if you dont make the effort to run the system professionally.
Do it right and pounds can be added to the bottom line of your business, you will also gain the respect of your customers and suppliers and add kudos to your competitive edge not to mention the pro-active involvement of the work force.
Give it a go, what have you got to lose? Your marketing gurus cant even give you a 12 to 1 return on investment, especially in these difficult times when businesses need every penny.
See for yourself what can be done, go to www.hse.gov.uk/business/casestudy.htm if you want more proof - 15275
Trapeze Artists to Wear Safety Helmets, what a picture that conjures up. Mischievous stories like this do nothing to help the image of health and safety, but it has secret for saving money that no business can afford to ignore.
Implementation costs can be saved at a rate of 12 to 1 just by running a good health and safety management system. A bottom line improvement of 12 times the investment has to at least be investigated if not implemented immediately.
Take a trip to the HSE website for proof www.hse.gov.uk/business/casestudy.htm and see the real case studies for yourself, instead of rolling your eyes in disbelief.
Still dubious?
"We've seen it all before, we don't have accidents here, there is no need for health and safety getting in the way."
There are always doubters and those who do not like change, it'll never happen to them, the hospitals are full of them.
If implemented properly a good health and safety management system, improves business image to clients, working practice, productivity, morale, lessens absence rates, lessens staff turnover rates, saves on training new recruits, reduces the chance of insurance claims, and could get you a reduction in insurance premiums.
An accident investigation alone will probably cost a business around 5000
Moral, Legal and Financial are the three significant reasons for business' to implement a good health and safety management system
Can any business afford to miss out on these potentially large financial cost savings? Especially in these days of the credit crunch and shrinking markets. An practical and efficient health and safety management system can deliver astonishing financial returns.
Contrary to the adverse publicity, health and safety does not have to be restrictive. I recently did some work with a school local to my home. The headmaster is very proactive in getting the children to take part in risk/adventure activities as part of their all round education.
The pupils canoe and build rafts to go on the river that borders the school land, in which they also swim. They go camping, night walking, potholing, paintball with the army, mattress surfing (dont ask) and the climbing wall has been ordered.
They take to the hockey field with enthusiasm and an ethos reminiscent of St. Trinians.
They have, for a relatively small school, a disproportionate number of Area and County level sports representatives, in one of Englands largest counties. They do not appear to feel restricted by risk assessment in the slightest.
Have risk assessments been done? Of course. Are they restrictive? No. They provide sensible guidelines to staff and pupils to manage the risk without wrapping the children in cotton wool.
Managing risks for themselves builds confidence and a rounded character for life after school, the parents do not object, in fact they actively encourage the children to take part. The excitement ignites the childrens imaginations
They wont understand about risk if they're wrapped in cotton wool and they wont have much fun either.
If your workforce had the kind of positive can do attitude that the pupils of this school show, you will enjoy the added bonus of saving costs through a good health and safety management system which is progressive not regressive.
Would we have a Great Britain if our ancestors had not taken risks?
The big stick downwards is much less productive than involving everybody from the grass roots up and valuing their opinion. These criteria should be used in business, health and safety is cost effective, but it needs to be embraced by and communicated to the whole workforce.
Manager Oh yes we have risk assessments
Auditor Where are they?
Manager In that box file on the top shelf Auditor
Have the staff read and understood them? A hush falls on the room.
How common do you think that response is, does it sound familiar? You wont make the cost savings if you dont make the effort to run the system professionally.
Do it right and pounds can be added to the bottom line of your business, you will also gain the respect of your customers and suppliers and add kudos to your competitive edge not to mention the pro-active involvement of the work force.
Give it a go, what have you got to lose? Your marketing gurus cant even give you a 12 to 1 return on investment, especially in these difficult times when businesses need every penny.
See for yourself what can be done, go to www.hse.gov.uk/business/casestudy.htm if you want more proof - 15275
About the Author:
The author Sean Fowden is an experienced health and safety consultant, with his own company for health and consultancy and training, rass ltd. Their web site is full of free advice and free downloads to help any business.
