Workplace safety regulations have fast become a cornerstone of several industries; put in place to protect several parties, communities surrounding the industry, and so much more. In this blog, we’ll review what workplace safety regulations are, who benefits the most from them, and examples of employee vs employer benefits.
What are workplace safety regulations?
First of all, it makes sense for us to define what we’re talking about. Workplace safety regulations are regulations put in place to ensure the workplace is a safe environment for those in and adjacent to it. These are more prominent in high-risk industries, or workplaces that require physical labor, though office buildings will have them as well.
The vast majority of developed nations have workplace safety regulations. A few examples are OSHA in the US, Canada’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304), or the UK’s Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations. A great example of workplace safety regulations that received significant exposure in recent years is the required use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in spaces such as healthcare facilities
Who benefits most from workplace safety regulations?
The very short answer to this question is “lots of people”. However, we can split that group into two distinct camps; employers and employees. As such, let’s break down the benefits for these two groups – as well as smaller sub-sections within them.
Employees
Reducing the risk of injury or illness:
An obvious benefit to workers when asking the question “who benefits most from workplace safety regulations?” would be an overall safer workplace, resulting in a reduced risk to employees. To put things into perspective, since the UK’s HSWA regulations were put in place in 1974, workplace fatalities have reduced by nearly 80% year-over-year.
Improving health and well-being:
Workplace safety regulations can help to foster a culture of concern for health and well-being. A commitment to health and safety can help to foster an environment of genuine care and concern for employees.
Improved employee retention:
Workplace safety regulations actually help to improve employee retention rates. The Journal of Public Health highlighted that adherence to OHS practices reduces workplace accidents and positively impacts employee task performance and retention.
Increasing productivity:
Similarly, when workers feel safe and secure in their environments, many studies point to a reduction in stress, anxiety, and an overwhelmingly positive impact on their job satisfaction.
Reducing legal complications:
Workplace safety events can leave employees unable to work, which in turn can result in complex and lengthy legal battles. Even if this process leads to the desired outcome for employees, the experience can be tiring, costly, and overwhelmingly negative. Regulations nip this issue in the bud and reduce the risk of legal action if a work-related accident occurs.
Employers
Reduced costs:
Following workplace safety regulations can save organizations resources in several ways – but a direct measure of this saving is money spent on insurance premiums, workers’ compensation, and medical costs – all of which are proven to decrease with a comprehensive health and safety program.
Improved productivity:
We previously referenced improved productivity – which is obviously a huge positive for employers looking to get the most from their workforce. Healthier employees are happier and more motivated, which can lead to increased productivity.
Improved reputation:
This improvement, both to an organization’s bottom-line and their workforce, can help to improve their reputation with customers, investors, and communities by demonstrating a commitment to protecting their workforce.
Attracting and retaining employees:
Similarly, happy employees are far more likely to remain with and recommend an employer that has shown it cares for its staff. When we consider that high-risk industries struggle with staff turnover – there is a significant cost saving associated with attracting and retaining talent.
Reduced legal liability:
As expressed earlier in this article – the legal side of workplace safety issues isn’t a positive experience for anyone. Not only can employers reduce the overall likelihood of accidents happening through workplace safety regulations, but they can limit their legal liability when work-related accidents occur.
Final Thoughts
Although we divided the benefits of workplace safety regulations into employer and employee groups, it’s clear that these regulations really benefit everyone. Workplace safety regulations play a crucial role in fostering a safe and productive environment for both employees and employers. By minimizing risks of injury and illness, improving well-being, and promoting job satisfaction, these regulations benefit workers significantly. Employers, on the other hand, enjoy reduced costs, improved productivity, and a better reputation, all while fostering employee retention and legal protection.
Ultimately, prioritizing safety creates a win-win situation for everyone involved, ensuring that workplaces remain not only compliant but also thriving in the long term. Therefore, the questions organizations should be asking is, “how can we maximize the benefits of workplace safety regulations?” and “how can we ensure our workforce feels involved in the refinement and application of these regulations?”.
