Moreover, 68% of UK businesses within important industries have reported a lack of organisation when it comes to this standard, meaning they would not be ready for an on-the-spot HSE inspection. The study found that many of these companies have not updated their data or recorded it adequately to comply with the standard. The main problem is not having a system in place for their asset management system that concerns equipment or manufacturing machinery, the main causes of employee non-fatal or fatal injuries.
So, how can this happen? And how can companies improve their approach to health and safety?
What’s the Link Between Asset Management and Employee Safety?
Asset management is the process of tracking assets, reducing value loss, and following compliance. As technology evolves, companies must update their assets or processes to maintain the same productivity and stay competitive in the market.
Unfortunately, many companies underestimate the importance of handling this sector in terms of worker safety. Therefore, using outdated machinery, paper-based maintenance systems, and struggling with real-time inventory can interfere with worker safety.
Companies have the duty of care to provide a safe environment for their employees, but by failing to adhere to safety standards, they unknowingly expose them to risks. Therefore, employees take the steps needed on how to sue a company for an injury with the help of an advisor.
Why do Companies Fail to Adhere to Safety Standards?
The HSE carried out inspections in industries where risks were known, such as manufacturing, but these checks might be more frequent, considering reports of injuries, workers’ concerns, or previous investigations. Inspectors will speak to the relevant people and assess the necessary documents to apply the appropriate enforcement in case of breaching the duty of care.
While these inspections are important, many aren’t carried out closely enough to see that companies lack proper organisation in resources, tools, and equipment. Many haven’t reached the digital transformation required for a company to assess all processes adequately, and they might not even realise where they are.
Digital literacy in business is necessary for employees, but management should also adopt it because it helps adopt all the skills and abilities to use devices and tools under the latest and most secure standards. As a non-negotiable skill for employment, management roles and leaders must also acquire it.
So, how can Companies Ensure Compliance?
The statistics presented above show how more than half of the country’s industries struggle with compliance, which shouldn’t be permitted. Assessing health compliance follows simple steps, such as the following:
- Staying up-to-date with the latest health and safety policies so there’s a clear understanding of what requires change or improvement;
- Organising frequent internal audits to inspect potential hazards and other potential issues that are non-compliant;
- Providing ongoing training and development through e-learning platforms and on-site learning sessions;
These are the main strategies for compliance, but your company might need to strive for other goals. Ideally, every company aims for a safety culture where employees minimise their exposure to danger and consistently report hazards, but things are much more complex. The lack of cooperation between employers and employees tends to be the source of all problems.
Low Employee Risk Reporting does More Harm than Good
Upon discovering a potential health hazard at work or noticing dysfunctional machinery, employees should immediately report the issue to the management staff, but they often fail to do so. Whether it’s fear of becoming a target or being dismissed, workers often keep their observations to a minimum.
However, this only increases the risk of accidents. Unaware of the situation’s gravity, other employees can be in danger. Of course, when the employer is well aware of the potential for an accident and fails to solve the problem, employees should report it.
Work-related injuries can affect a country’s performance, especially when they could’ve been avoided. Employers need to collaborate with workers more efficiently for sincere and accurate communication. Of course, this requires time and understanding of the other party, but leaders who can communicate efficiently are successful.
Why do Employers Fail to Create Meaningful Relations with Employees?
Companies should focus more on how management engages with workers because their relationships are a catalyst in ensuring fewer workplace disputes and higher productivity. Indeed, there are numerous challenges faced by leaders and employees, such as the following:
- Working remotely with employees across the globe, where communication gaps interfere;
- Transitioning work environments that disrupt relationships;
- Blurred lines between work and personal time;
- Working with different age groups where generational differences show;
Considering these issues, management and employees should work towards optimal collaboration levels. On the one hand, leaders should give helpful feedback and strive to help employees grow at work. More learning opportunities, acceptance of diversity and clear communication are also important.
At the same time, employees could be more open to communicating their expectations and suggestions. Learning to collaborate with co-workers will ensure professional integrity by preserving ethics. In addition, workers should be well advised on their rights, as legislation might change. Regardless, neither party should maliciously take advantage of their position against the other. In an ideal world, people could resolve conflicts through proper communication.
What do You Think about the State of Business Safety in the UK?
Recent studies showed that a majority of businesses in the UK would not be ready for an unannounced check from the HSE due to their lack of asset management practices. This means that, for various reasons, companies failed to assess workers’ safety by checking machinery and tools frequently to ensure their efficiency. Therefore, they expose employees to health risks like accidents and injuries.