A robust health and safety philosophy at work is a given. We all need to protect our employees while they are in the office or on site, and ensure they arrive home safely.

 

But, apart from the vital importance of a safe working environment, there are other considerations.

Recruitment for example.

 

Organisations that promote a safety-first culture are more likely to attract and retain talent. After all, who doesn’t want to work in an environment that has our wellbeing at its heart?

 

Having a well written health and safety handbook in the office, however, is not enough. The whole ethos of health and safety needs to permeate the entire organisation.

 

Safety cannot be dissociated from the organisation’s culture. It is not enough to merely comply with the office policy, it has to be a significant component of the company’s culture.

 

And it needs to start at the top.

 

Success comes from good leadership, active employee involvement and constant communication. When the leadership team puts an effective, relevant and sensible health and safety strategy in place, they have the power to influence the people around them and encourage the adoption of safe practices.

 

A safety-first culture is dependent on employees fulfilling their responsibility for ensuring that all aspects of the company’s undertakings are carried out with due regard to safety and with minimal risk to health through ongoing training and adopting rigorous safety protocols.   

 

Involved team members will take an active role in the business. They’ll implement new initiatives, take ownership of them and actively participate in driving change. Involving employees allows them to provide observations and feedback and offer constructive solutions to issues they may have encountered during their work.

 

By setting a safety-first culture, companies show that health and safety is not just a compliance requirement, it is a fundamental quality of their workplace. They recognise that the setting and implementation of risk management protocols helps create a successful, employee-centric company that creates a long-term value for the company and helps attract and retain talent.

Companies that invest in the growth and wellbeing of their employees are those that have a competitive advantage. They are able to move forward with confidence secure in the knowledge that their risks are minimised.   Safety matters in all aspects of industry and it is the responsibility of the leadership team to reinforce the importance of a safe environment and keep reminding employees of the potential health risks regularly.   At Ample Power’s recent health and safety training day HSEQ Manager Steve Challis, shared the latest business and safety updates as well as information on new projects, stressing the importance of maintaining the company’s approach to ensuring everyone goes home safe.   “Safety training shouldn’t be a one-off exercise,” said Steve. “We all forget information over time and continuous training helps embed good habits so that safety at work becomes habitual.”   Among the topics covered were working at height and lone working.   “It’s easy to forget what we’ve learned in the past, particularly when we are on site and really busy but by reiterating the potential dangers around employees working on their own or at height should not be overlooked. It is just a matter of reminding team members to check on their colleagues regularly to ensure they are safe,” said Steve.   A lot of time was spent in discussion around good housekeeping while on site and the importance of site inductions and daily briefings.   “As a company we are very strict on maintaining a clean, organised, and safe work environment through practices such as regular cleaning, proper storage, and clear walkways. Our site teams are very conscious of the need to ensure everyone on site complies with our standards,” said Steve.   Ongoing training ensures that employees stay up to date with the latest health and safety requirements. It also helps develop a sustainable habit of awareness in their roles and responsibilities to maintain a safe working environment.