Do you feel overburdened by workplace Health and Safety (H&S)? You’re most likely not alone. Although it may appear perplexing at first, occupational health and safety (OH&S) is incredibly essential and is rightfully being introduced into an increasing number of businesses around the world.
As a result, it’s critical to break it down and understand what Occupational Health and Safety is and why it’s so vital. In today’s article, we’ll define EH&S, explain how everyone can benefit from it, and why some of the safety courses given by our Safety & Access team can help everyone.
What is the definition of occupational health and safety?
Let us keep things simple. The goal of occupational health and safety is to establish a safe and healthy work environment. It can be thought of as two distinct entities.
Occupational safety addresses the risk factors in your workplace as well as any safety risks that could result in injury. Occupational Health, on the other hand, examines prospective health issues and employee well-being. Consider safety to be the physical well-being of an employee, and health to be everything else, including mental health.
Why is workplace health and safety important?
Your employer must take into account the working conditions. Every business is responsible under OH & S to ensure that their employees work in safe settings and that their mental health is a key priority.
Long hours, little breaks, little acknowledgment, and unreasonable demands will quickly leave employees exhausted, worried, and in poor mental health. Workers will only require a leave from work if they have minor mental health issues. At worst, this could result in life-altering and long-term mental health issues.
Companies want to ensure that their employees are psychologically healthy and contributing to the success of the company. OH&S ensures that the health of the employees is taken care of.
Raised awareness and a safer working environment
You don’t spend thousands of pounds putting your employees through mandated training courses just for the sake of it. Working at Height to Supply Chain Management OH&S training courses are all aimed at raising awareness of workplace hazards and fostering a safe working environment.
On paper, this sounds wonderful, but in practice, it’s even better. Staff will work in a far safer manner after completing the required OH&S training courses, and they will learn how to minimize workplace risk. Workplace-related injuries will decrease as people learn to avoid danger and voice concerns about potentially hazardous duties.
Productivity improvement
Healthy employees are productive employees. When OH&S is administered successfully, employees should feel safe and committed to their jobs. They are aware that they are being looked after while at work and that they will not jeopardize their safety or health.
This is particularly crucial because when employees speak out and express worries about potentially hazardous work, they do so knowing that their concerns will be heard and heeded. Colleagues trust one another and will work efficiently if they maintain a good attitude. If you fail to protect your employees with suitable OH & S practices, your staff retention rate will suffer.
Correct tool training and use
When OH&S training is done effectively, employees understand how to use the tools needed for their profession. Injuries are less likely, and the task will be completed to a higher standard. You’ll have well trained employees and fewer hours lost due to injury and illness.
New possibilities
Occupational health and safety will also open up new opportunities in your workplace. Staff who have been taught can take on the role of mental health ambassadors, providing a good example and acting as a point of contact for their coworkers.
For others, OH&S provides an opportunity to share success stories and best practices. Staff can also be recognized for outstanding examples of OH&S in the workplace, and by spotlighting excellent practices, the workplace culture of health and safety will only increase.
Occupational Health and Safety in conjunction with safety and access
Finally, Occupational Health and Safety will protect your staff as well as your income. Too many workers have died in catastrophic accidents in the past; OH&S works to make workplace accidents a thing of the past.