Visiting a wide range of businesses I see all sorts of approaches to the whole issue of health and safety. Most businesses see it as bureaucratic and feel that it’s inflicted on them for the benefit of the government rather than for the benefit of the business. However, I think it’s about payback and making the health and safety activities profitable.
It doesn’t matter what stage the company is at, any entrepreneurial activity is about risk – the problem is that nobody sees it as a risk management exercise. Many organisations do the bare minimum – or less – until they get caught out, when their response is to panic and often don’t think about the actions they take.
Other companies view the whole issue of health and safety a bit like a big bad wolf – they need to protect themselves against the authorities (the wolf) and use belt, braces and string to ensure every possible avenue is covered. What they do, effectively, is tie themselves up in the red tape!
A balanced view would allow people to view health and safety with their business head on. To take actions that will actively contribute to the business effectiveness, at the same time as meeting the legislative requirements – and also deliver good practice as far as corporate social responsibility is concerned. If they get it right, it would even produce a nice positive result in the bottom line!
Taking a balanced view and embracing health and safety issues doesn’t have to be a painful experience – with the right approach it could even be a profitable one.
If you’d like more information about this take a look at http://www.irm-safety.co.uk/PROPA or give us a call on 0845 430 9461.
