Health and Safety vs. Productivity: What’s the evidence?
In this day and age, at least in wealthy countries, it is rare to come across anyone who will argue that health and safety management is not only a necessity in but a benefit to workplaces.
However, as we now regularly hear about the cutting back of “red tape” in the news, one can wonder what the relationship between health and safety vs. productivity in workplaces actually is. The question is difficult for OHS professionals to hear, but one with an interesting and evidence-based answer.
What is the relationship between health and safety and productivity?
There is a misconception that still exists in workplaces that productivity is on the contrary to good health and safety practice. Terry L. Mathis, a respected thought leader in the industry, argues that in fact, neither safety nor productivity can work well without the other – and it is a belief that has got Health and Safety policy to where it’s at today. Nonetheless, 1 in 3 workers still believe their employer values productivity more than safety.
The vision of safe production
The vision of safe production can be classed as a philosophy where everyone recognizes the company must survive and prosper, but that it must do so safely. D. Cooper PhD, founder of consultancy BSMS Inc., argues that this goal is a realistic one that leads to all-round better economic performance:
“Without a doubt, people will test the company’s resolve, but if the safe production philosophy is consistently followed, a safety partnership will develop to deliver safety excellence. In turn, this will lead to more effective safety leadership, employee engagement (engaged employees are 5 times less likely to experience an injury), and other benefits.”
The question of health and safety vs. productivity will always exist, as will many things vs. productivity (type in “productivity vs” to Google to see the common searches). What’s different about health and safety is that it protects the very means by which a company can be productive in the first place – its people. So how can you go about explaining the connection?