subject: The Importance Of Good Health And Safety Management [print this page] When running a business, the well-being of your employees is always of the upmost importance. A well-looked after workforce is a productive workforce so it is crucial that workers feel safe in their place of work. That is why good health and safety management is integral to the success of any business.
In order to achieve high standards in safety, it is important for employers to establish codes of conduct and brief all employees thoroughly on what the company expects from them. As an employer, the consequences of looking for a quick fix can be damaging, so it pays to prepare for every eventuality and be as thorough as possible when creating a health and safety management plan.
Frameworks and guidelines are readily available for employers through either the British Standards Institution (BSI) or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These frameworks can be adapted to suit most businesses, but each company must establish its own key safety issues.
One of the major benefits of structuring risk management within a business is an increase in consistency of methods throughout the company. In some industries this can be a necessity in order to comply with specific employment laws or to meet common industry standards.
Financially, a well structured and well thought through health and safety management plan can pay dividends. An ethical and responsible company will receive better PR and can also negotiate lower insurance premiums, whilst finding funding from banks easier to come by.
It is not simply enough to research and write up a plan though; companies must ensure that their desired standards are implemented throughout the business. All employees must be fully trained and briefed to guarantee that they work in line with the measures stipulated by their company's management team. Furthermore, they must be proactive in their efforts to manage risk by constantly checking that standards are met and that they update management plans when necessary.
Even the best run businesses will suffer from occasional health and safety issues, as accidents cannot always be avoided. A solid health and safety management plan will also include a crisis management plan that identifies key risks; making it easier to cope with difficult situations should they arise. All accidents should be fully documented and recorded so that the company can learn from mistakes and continue to develop by reviewing past incidents.
Ultimately, a carefully thought out management plan can maximise profits in the long term by making sure that companies are prepared for any eventuality and can tackle difficulties with a minimum of effort.
