Workplace Health & Safety

• Published date: 08 December 2020
• Subject Matter: Employment and HR, Health & Safety
• Law Firm: Safecall
• Author: &nbsp Safecall

What do we mean by Workplace Health and Safety?

Workplaces can be dangerous places. Workplace Health and Safety should be taken seriously and approached in a professional and pragmatic manner. While related it is important to make the distinction between workplace 'health' and 'safety'.

Health - It is possible for illness to be caused or worsened by our occupation. Between 4-5% of workers suffer from work related ill health at any one time. Common work-related health conditions include;

• Anxiety and depression - can be brought on or exacerbated by chronic work stress.
• Hearth and lung disease - can be brough on by inactivity or particulate exposure (e.g. asbestos).
• Musculoskeletal disorders - can be brought on by poor posture and ineffective equipment.

Safety - workplaces can be dangerous places and injuries can happen. Around 2% of workers suffer workplace injuries each year. Common work-related injuries include;

• Slips, trips and falls
• Handling, lifting and carrying
• Struck by moving object
• Acts of violence

While we all accept that people get ill and accidents happen there is a duty on all organisations to control and minimise risks to the health and safety of people engaged in work based activity.

What makes workplaces unsafe?

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others as a result of the activity which takes place or the environment in which it takes place. Some of the most dangerous professions for example take place in relatively dangerous work in relatively uncontrolled environments;

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing (SIC A)
• Construction (SIC F)
• Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (SIC D)
• Manufacturing (SIC C)

Another significant risk factor is workplace stress. Some occupations carry increased levels of stress and carry high rates of workplace illness;

• Public administration/defence (SIC O) (including Police and Fire services)
• Human health/social work (SIC Q)
• Education (SIC P)

Regardless of the work related activity or environment steps can and should be taken to minimise the risk to worker health and safety.

How do I identify poor health and safety culture?

Health and safety activity will vary by occupation due to the differing risk profiles of the workplace activity and environment. There are however some common foundations which should be in place with every employer;

• Risk assessments - for work based activity and environment
• Controls - policies, processes and practices to minimise risk
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