Business benefits of good health and safety

British Safety Council re-affirms importance of creating awareness of business benefits of good health and safety

THE British Safety Council has released a series of short videos on the benefits of good health and safety filmed with experts from the European Agency on Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Supplementing a literature report released in 2013 that compiled research and evidence on the business benefits of good health and safety, the videos sit alongside the Council’s other campaign materials on health and safety risk awareness in young people – ‘Speak Up, Stay Safe’.

‘The evidence is clear. It shows that investing in health and safety produces a financial return for employers and helps to improve working conditions for workers,’ said Dr Dietmar Elsler, project manager at the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).

Joscelyne Shaw, acting policy and communications director at the British Safety Council, said: ‘The International Labour Organisation estimates that every year more than 2.3 million people globally are senselessly killed due to workplace injury and work-related ill health, and an estimated 4% of global GDP is lost due to health and safety failures.

‘As we move out of the recession, it is important that business reflects on what is appropriate and sensible health and safety management. Good health and safety management is addressed relative to a number of factors, whether in relation to risk management, demands from clients or as part of a sustainable business ethos.

‘We know there are many businesses committed to ensuring that their staff are not injured or made ill by their work. There is a growing recognition of the value of a preventative strategy which is beneficial to business as well as to government and society overall. As a corporate membership body, we remain committed to capturing and sharing this insight and enabling others to benefit from the learning and innovation that this can create within businesses and business processes.’

She added: ‘As businesses seek to take advantage of growth opportunities, we can provide support. For example, our ‘Health and Safety – what’s next?’ conference in London in September will once again be an opportunity to hear from senior business leaders, thought leaders and others willing to share their experiences and learning from across a range of sectors.’