Page 10 - Bus365 Issue 10 2021 WEB

MAJOR STUDY REVEALS THE HIDDEN COST

OF WORKPLACE SAFETY – FEARS OF INJURY,

DISTRUST OF EMPLOYERS AND BELIEF THAT

PROFITS ARE PUT BEFORE PEOPLE

Over a third of manual workers believe their employer is putting profi ts over people, with close to one
in ten fearing for their safety every day at work, according to a major new study.
recent online survey, carried out by “Protecting the health and safety of employees that during the pandemic, there has been a
YouGov, on behalf of A-SAFE, reveals is an essential part of a company’s risk shift in attitudes towards health and safety –
A an all too often hidden cost of safety in management and must be led by its leadership businesses faced pressure to be covid-secure
workplaces across the UK and a perception that team. People are at their most vulnerable in and continue to operate. It also shows the
the focus on Covid-security has compromised industrial workplace environments, where worries, fears and anxieties that many of us face
other measures designed to keep workers safe. vehicles and pedestrians are working in in a working environment.
proximity, and yet more could be done to protect
Global workplace safety leader A-SAFE, based in employees at work.” “The insight this research provides will
West Yorkshire, commissioned the survey as they help businesses and government bodies
launch a worldwide campaign to highlight the The new campaign from A-SAFE will show these understand the need to follow clear guidelines
risks being taken in some factories, warehouses risks and highlight one story in particular – that for businesses in terms of health and safety.
and distribution centres, and the important safety of Lisa Ramos, a mum-of-one who lost her leg Lisa’s story highlights the human impact that
measures that can be put in place to reduce after being struck by a forklift truck. A gritty and a workplace accident can have on someone
them. emotional short fi lm, titled Amputee, follows the and how following clear guidelines, such as
traumatic impact of limb loss on Lisa and her PAS 13 from the BSI, can make these accidents
2,019 manual and semi-skilled workers, such
family, and shines a harsh spotlight on the hidden avoidable.”
as machine operators, fi tters and drivers, were
cost of workplace safety.
questioned. Among the key fi ndings: Lisa Ramos concluded: “The aim of Amputee
The safety barrier manufacturer is calling for was to highlight the heart-breaking hidden cost
• 37% believe that profi ts are put before
stricter standards to be put in place to reduce that people and their families endure when they
people in terms of ensuring the right health
injuries, protect workers and ensure that have a workplace accident. It has been a long
and safety measures are in place where
everyone who goes to work at the start of their and painful recovery and A-SAFE has created an
they work.
shift is able to go home when it ends. A-SAFE emotional, thought-provoking fi lm that tells my
• 33% say the focus on creating Covid-secure is now calling for businesses to adhere to story in a respectful way.
environments has led to the neglect of PAS 13 in workplaces. Published by the British
other health and safety measures. Standards Institution (BSI), PAS 13 is a guideline “As a result of my accident, I had to have my
left foot amputated and su ered degloving of
• 24% do not think their employer is for organisations to follow which reduces the risk the skin and fat, up to my thigh. My recovery
dedicated to keeping them safe and they of collision accidents and ensures protection is fi t has been an ongoing process, and I continue
do not trust them to protect workers. for purpose.
to su er with phantom limb pain, take large
• Taken together, this leads to one in ten (9%) James Smith adds: “Our survey serves to quantities of medication and struggle with my
of those surveyed saying they go to work encourage business leaders to make better mental health. The whole campaign highlights
not feeling safe in general. decisions and improve workplace standards, and the crucial message that businesses need to
Analysis of the o cial RIDDOR (Reporting of the fi ndings indicate that more needs to be done introduce these clear guidelines on workplace
Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences to tackle some of the industry’s most pressing safety, so others won’t have to endure the
Regulations) data from the Health and Safety health and safety challenges. Ultimately, failure trauma that my family and I went through.”
Executive (HSE) shows that, on average, at least to include health and safety as a key business To watch the full Amputee fi lm and fi nd
136 workers have received fatal injuries in the objective can have catastrophic results, as Lisa’s information on the ‘The Hidden Cost of
workplace each year since 2016 with 70,000 story highlights. Workplace Safety’ campaign, visit: asafe.com/
receiving injuries. One in fi ve of those deaths "We are launching our campaign, ‘The Hidden thehiddencost
came from being struck by a moving vehicle. Cost of Workplace Safety’, to help raise
It is feared that many non-fatal injuries go awareness of the issue and increase standards
unreported by workplaces who choose not to in the workplace. As industry experts, we support
notify the HSE of accidents and near misses organisations of all sizes to fi nd the best ways
under RIDDOR. to lead and promote health and safety, and
therefore meet their legal obligations.”
James Smith, co-owner and director of A-SAFE
told B365: “I know that for some businesses The Royal Society for the Prevention of
health and safety can be seen as a chore with Accidents (RoSPA) welcomes A-SAFE’s work to
red tape, ticking boxes and endless bureaucracy. draw attention to the importance of good health
But when there are failures, the results can be and safety management and the need to follow
catastrophic - lives can be changed and families guidelines in the workplace.
devastated in an instant. it is time this hidden cost Dr Karen McDonnell, occupational health
of going to work is highlighted, and that is what and safety policy adviser, head of RoSPA
this survey and our campaign aims to do. Scotland,commented: “The research highlights

10 |