As the old adage goes: “Prevention is better than cure”. This is especially true when it comes to occupational health and safety (OHS). A solid OHS system – a system that is guided by best practice, driven by compliance and supported by fit-for-purpose Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – is the cornerstone of a productive and profitable workplace.
Another important element, however, and one that is often overlooked is culture. That is having a well-established and universally accepted culture of workplace health and safety. On 28 April the International Labor Organization (ILO) commemorates World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022, an event aimed at promoting dialogue to create safe and healthy working environments. This year, the ILO’s focus is on the topic of participation and social dialogue in creating a positive safety and health culture.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of strong OHS systems to protect working environments and safeguard the health and safety of workers. This is made possible by meaningful participation of and dialogue between multiple stakeholders, representing both the private and public sector.
According to the ILO, “a strong OHS culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is valued and promoted by both management and workers. A positive OHS culture is built on inclusion, through the meaningful involvement of all parties in the ongoing improvement of safety and health at work. In a workplace with a strong OHS culture, workers feel comfortable raising concerns about possible OHS risks or hazards in the workplace and management is proactive in collaborating with workers to find appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions.”
South Africa recently celebrated Human Rights Day, which reminded us of the many rights and freedoms that we enjoy under our country’s Constitution. Whilst a safe and healthy working environment is the right of every worker, it also needs to be supported by an organization-wide culture and mindset at every level.
Here are five tips for establishing positive health and safety cultures:
- Ensure that OHS systems are integrated into the business’s general management structures. OHS systems never stand alone; they are an integral part of organizational DNA. Many businesses profess that their employees are their greatest assets, but is their health and safety considered as a core value?
- Workers at all levels must be trained on relevant OHS elements. Through our training arm, BBF SHEQ Services, we provide a wide range of solutions to ensure that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand and manage various OHS requirements.
- Establish channels for open and honest communication for all things OHS-related. A positive OHS culture must permeate the organization, but it starts at the top. Your top executives should lead by example and not merely view OHS as another compliance box to be ticked.
- Consult all stakeholders. Dialogue needs to be inclusive and consequently, must involve all stakeholders. Know who all the parties in your business are who contribute to a solid health and safety culture.
- Awareness, awareness, awareness. Building a strong and sustainable workplace health and safety culture is not a once-off occurrence. Just like a house requires a solid foundation and quality finishes it also requires ongoing maintenance. Through continuous awareness campaigns and channels, you will be in a position to not only maintain, but also build upon your health and safety culture.
Establishing any organizational culture is a collective and ongoing effort and one that requires the right elements. As we commemorate World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022, consider whether you have all the right elements in place in your organization: buy-in from the top, open channels of communication, compliant OHS systems, adequate PPE and worker training.
Let’s act together to build positive workplace safety and health cultures – regardless of industry or company size.
For all your PPE requirements visit us at www.bbfsafety.com and for consultation on OHS systems and training please visit www.bbfsheqservices.com.