A1.2 Societal factors influencing H&S standards and priorities Flashcards
How does the economic climate influence H&S standards and priorities?
- The economic perspective on occupational health and safety encompasses both causes and consequences, the role of economic factors in the etiology of workplace ill-health and the effects this
has on the economic prospects for workers, organisation, society and the world as a whole. - In tough economic times, it’s important to remember that poor workplace health and safety practices costs money.
- Case studies show that good workplace health and safety management in a business is linked to improved
performance and profitability. - Everyone from individual employees to the (NHS) loses out when health and safety management is neglected.
How does governmental policy influence H&S standards and priorities?
- In 2009, the HSE released a report entitled ‘The Health and Safety of Great Britain - Be part of the solution’
- The report commented on the need to take the lead in developing a new strategy to build on current strengths and to recognise the
many changes and challenges for health and safety as a whole. - Collectively agreed on:
>< We need renewed momentum to improve health and safety performance
>< We need to respond to a wide range of risks
>< We need to find new ways of engaging workforces in all workplaces of all shapes and sizes
>< We need leaders who are committed to developing a common-sense, practical approach
>< We need to regain the value of the brand for what real H&S is - There is a need to balance health and safety
evolution within society’s needs and expectations.
Outline the key points of Löfstedt’s 2011 study ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all’..
- He found that too often businesses felt they must go
beyond what health and safety law required,
Issues identified were:
- There were too many inspections of relatively low risk and well performing workplaces.
- An overly complex structure for regulation.
- Businesses too often received poor health and safety advice from badly qualified consultants.
- A ‘compensation culture’ lead businesses to a fear of being sued for accidents, even where they were not at fault.
Professor Lofstedt recommended the following actions:
– Concentrating health and safety enforcement on higher risk areas
– Simplifying health and safety law and guidance - 50% less guidance from HSE, more online information
– Setting up the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register
– Removing the fear of being sued - only if the employer was negligent
How does sickness and incapacity influence H&S standards and priorities?
- Too often, ill health leads to people leaving work altogether at great cost to individuals, their families and society, yet many causes of absence and of inactivity due to ill health are relatively mild conditions that are compatible with work.
- A caring society has a responsibility to help such people return to work.
- Sickness absences cost the economy around £15 billion a year, predominantly in lost output.
- Around 140,000 people a year fall out of work and claim state health-related benefits without having a period of sick leave with their employer beforehand.
How does risk profiling influence H&S standards and priorities?
– Risk profiling is an approach introduced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the revised guidance document HSG65 Managing for Health and Safety. - examining the likelihood of an adverse event occuring
–The outcome of risk profiling
will be that the right risks have been identified and prioritised for action, and minor risks will not have been given too much priority.
–Health and safety risks also range from things that happen very infrequently but with catastrophic effects (high-hazard, low-frequency events, such as an oil refinery explosion) to things that happen much more frequently but with lesser consequences (low-hazard, high-frequency events). Clearly, the high hazard, low-frequency example could destroy the business and would be high-priority in a risk profile and therefore would require tighter standards and controls than low risk, low-frequency activities.
How does Globalisation influence H&S standards and priorities?
● WHO - poor occupational health and reduced working capacity of workersmay cause economic loss up to 10 - 20% of the GDP of a country
● Organisations are facing increasing pressure to remain competitive and, although implementing organisational changes may be necessary, they may result in new risks to workers’ health, safety and well-being.
● New work-related hazards and diseases have emerged in some countries. EG. pesticides in the agriculture industry
● Due to globalisation and its resultant
changes in the nature of work, people in developing countries have to deal with increasing work-related stress.
● The 2013 Savar building collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh - 1129 people died, many injured making garments for Primark, Walmart, Mango, etc.
● The tragic incident raised the debate regarding the globalization of organisations who transfer
the risk and costs of manufacturing to vulnerable workers.
How does the increase in migrant workers influence H&S standards and priorities?
● Statistics suggest that migrant numbers are growing and that in some regions and in some industrial sectors or occupations; they form a significant section of the workforce.
● Migrants are more likely to be working in sectors or occupations where there are existing health and
safety concerns, placing them at added risk, due to:
– Limited knowledge of the UK’s health and safety system
– Wanting to earn as much as possible, in the
shortest possible time.
– inability to communicate effectively with other workers and with supervisors, to understand risk.
– Access to limited health and safety training
– Failure of employers to check on their skills for work and on their language ability
– Recruitment agency, unclear responsbility
– Lack of knowledge of health and safety rights and how to raise them
● Low rate of earnings, encourages longer and potentially dangerous working practices.
EXAMPLE:
2004 Morecombe Bay cocklers case, 23 untrained and inexperienced men and women were drowned by an incoming tide as they collected cockles
How does CSR (corporate social responsibility) influence H&S standards and priorities?
● CSR is the integration by companies of social and
environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Going beyond fulfilling legal expectations.
● Going beyond legal compliance can contribute to a company’s competitiveness and it can also have a direct positive impact on productivity.
COMMON CSR ACTIVITIES:
- Animal Welfare
- Diversity and equal opportunites
- Community Investment
- Helping to build the skills of the local people
- Supporting staff fundraising
- Offering staff volunteer options
TANGIBLE CSR BENEFITS:
To the company:
- Attract and retain staff.
- Improved reputation
- Competitiveness
- Compliance
- Risk Management
- Financial Benefits
To Society:
- Community investment
- CSR Marketing - developing charity partnerships can be beneficial to marketing your business
- Improving organisations values
- Corporate philanthropy - numerical value on CSR commitment
