Page 4 - Logistics News - March_April 2023

T H OU GHT L E A D E R SHIP

Protect your business

and its reputation

By Louise Woodburn, General Manager of KBC Risk Solutions

Find out how occupational health and safety (OHS) service providers can eliminate
negative publicity.

lobally, 2.78 million workers die every year in may also believe that safety regulations are unnecessary
occupational accidents, while 374 million suffer or overly burdensome and that they can rely on common
G from non-fatal accidents on the job. With workplace sense or personal responsibility to keep employees safe.
incidents regularly making headline news, organisations Finally, some businesses may mistakenly believe that
can no longer downplay their occupational health and safety safety regulations are purely a legal requirement and fail to
responsibilities. Not only do these incidents negatively affect recognise the value of safety in promoting employee well-
the reputation of the business for years to come, but also being, job satisfaction and retention.
their ability to apply for funding, contracts or tenders (the
Internet never forgets). Putting safety at the top of the agenda
Partnering with a health and safety partner is one of the
Workplace safety must be prioritised. The safety and clearest indications that an organisation is committed
well-being of employees ensure a healthy and productive to employee well-being. It is an effective means for
workforce while helping to protect businesses from costly organisations to step up their safety focus to achieve
lawsuits, damaged reputations and downtime. However, compliance and improve their health and safety records.
establishing a culture of safety and shifting the perception Using an OHS service provider that delivers customised,
of risk is not always easy. Many businesses struggle to highly relevant training programmes tailored to the specific
implement effective safety measures that protect their needs of the business, leadership can ensure that employees
employees and their bottom line, but this is where are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills
occupational health and safety (OHS) service providers can to perform their jobs safely. OHS service providers also
help businesses to flip the script. OHS service providers provide a fresh perspective by helping businesses to identify
can be instrumental in establishing a culture of safety by and mitigate potential hazards in the workplace, such as
enabling business leaders to prioritise employee health and ergonomic issues, hazardous materials or electrical hazards.
safety and providing them with the knowledge and tools By addressing these issues proactively, businesses can reduce
they need to create a safer, healthier workplace. the likelihood of accidents or injuries occurring and can
create a safer work environment for their employees.
Clearing up white-collar misconceptions
There are several common misconceptions that businesses In addition to helping companies achieve compliance
may have about health and safety regulations from a and reduce risk, partnering with a training provider can
white-collar perspective. One of the most prevalent also improve the health and safety record of the business
L O GI S T I CS NEWS apply to high-risk industries such as construction or mining can work with employees to develop safety policies
misconceptions is that workplace safety regulations only
by promoting a culture of safety. OHS service providers
and that office-based businesses are exempt from these
and procedures (collaboration is important to create a
regulations. Another misconception is that implementing
sense of ownership) while communicating these policies
safety measures will be too expensive and time-consuming
effectively to employees. In achieving a safety-first mindset
and will negatively impact productivity. Some businesses

2 M A RC H/A P R IL 2023 among its workforce by prioritising employee health and
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