INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE

As individuals we all want to be free from harm, whatever the cause - an

earthquake, a plane crash, and poison in the environment or an accident at work.
However, perfect safety is rare because almost any activity has dangers. We
may tolerate these dangers to gain financial benefit, advantages or thrills, but we
still want the dangers to be kept under control. Over time, safety has become
more important as the perceived value of life has risen and disasters are seen as
avoidable, rather than random acts of God. Accidents have led to the
introduction of health and safety legislation intended to prevent them happening
again. Knowledge about what causes harm also grows over time, so that
substances and practices which used to be considered safe, are now recognised
as being damaging. Examples of this include asbestos, noise exposure and
smoking. Where the substance or practice gives a benefit as well as causing
damage, it is necessary to have some objective way of balancing the two. For
example, medical treatment might have side effects.
Accident at the workplace and occupational ill health are costly to employees
and their families. Management control of health and safety is therefore
essential and a must for business survival as loss from a major incident could
ruin a company. Directors and managers can be held personally responsible for
failures to control health and safety in the workplace



WHY BOTHER WITH SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE

Moral, legal and financial arguments for health and safety management;






Pain and suffering
Duty to fellow human being
Premiums
Uninsured losses
Reputatrions
Morale
Productivity
Fines and Cost
Cout time
Civil cases
Notices
MORAL
FINANCIAL
LEGAL