Workplaces can be dangerous places. In 2022/2023, 135 people died from work-related accidents and 565,000 sustained injuries. Whilst some of these will have been accidents in the truest sense, some will have been a failure of safety procedures and training.
If you have suffered from an accident in the workplace you may be entitled to compensation. Speak to a team of expert lawyers to get the ball rolling.
By ensuring all your employees are adequately trained in safety around the workplace, your entire company will benefit.
Prevents accidents and injuries
The primary function of safety training in the workplace is to prevent as many accidents and injuries as possible.
If the industry you work in uses heavy machinery or specialist tools then it is essential that you know how to use them properly. Correct training will ensure this. It isn’t just the more dangerous industries that can benefit from proper training. Working in an office, for example, can mean you occasionally have to lift heavy boxes or move printers around. Knowing how to do this safely and prevent a back or shoulder injury.
Reduces costs
When they occur, accidents can be financially taxing for businesses and employees alike. The total cost across the country amounts to roughly £18.8 billion a year, which is a huge figure. Although this does combine accidental injury as well as ill health from working conditions, it is still eye-watering.
By ensuring that your staff are properly trained, you can eliminate the frequency of those accidents, therefore cutting down your legal fees, compensation judgements and medical bills. Similarly, you will not have workers on long-term sick, meaning you are not losing money.
Compliance with regulations
The UK has a huge number of regulations that businesses must follow, with many of them surrounding health and safety compliance.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences, such as fines and penalties. For example, cases tried in a magistrates court have a maximum fine amount of £20,000. Crown Courts, however, do not have a maximum limit for fines. It is important to note that these fines cannot be recouped from insurance.
In 2022 Northern Gas Networks Limited received a fine of £5 million plus a cost of £91,500 worth of costs for a health and safety breach that resulted in a fatality.
Not only will you face financial issues if you do not comply, but being slapped with a fine can ruin your reputation as a business. People will be less likely to use your services, making it harder to recover from the financial hit.
Enhances morale and productivity
Keeping your workers happy and motivated is a challenge that all businesses face. Workers who feel safe in their workplace are more likely to be engaged and motivated. If they are constantly worrying about their safety, they may become distracted and stressed. This can lead to more accidents as well as a higher staff turnover rate.
