Consequences of accidents and ill health are far-reaching
If health and safety is not yet a priority in your company here are some compelling arguments why it should be! In addition to the obvious impact on the injured worker, a poor health and safety record has consequences on several other levels: productivity, statutory regulations and reputational damage to the company.
Accidents and ill health can have a negative impact on the company's productivity and financial performance. Why?
- Absence of the victim
- Interruptions in production process
- Re-organization and/or renewal of work
- Replacement of damaged material/equipment
- Loss of orders/clients
- Administrative effort around accident case analysis
- Recruitment and additional pay for temporary staff
- Increased insurance premiums
At the same time, there are a variety of non-tangible consequences of poor health and safety that affect victims, work colleagues and ultimately the company overall:
- For the victim: personal impact of the injury
- For the colleagues: distress, job dissatisfaction and worry, especially in case of frequent health and safety issues
- For the company: reputation and working climate hampered
The Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board found that an accident in construction causes costs on average of around €30,000. However – leaving all the financial implications aside – can we put a price tag on an individual’s health? A caring employer would want the employees to arrive home safely after a day of work.