Health & Safety is of the utmost importance when operating within any industry, working to keep the highest level of safety for employees has many positive implications for a company and can work to outweigh the serious implications of neglectful business practice.
The Health & Safety at work act (1974) set forward the rulings on how to operate within a workplace. Construction sites are a minefield of health & safety nightmares that can have serious effects on a company & its employees, purely due to the nature of the work being done. Training can help to prevent issues arising on site which can have numerous benefits both financially and for day to day operation.
Regarding training for construction sites, NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health) training can assist people in management, helping to assist with effective & concise management allowing for the minimising of potential hazards. Non-managerial staff can also partake in SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) in order to educate themselves on proper health & safety training. IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety of Health) training courses can provide training for managers in all different industries, as it provides the knowledge and tools necessary to manage safety. Managers having the capability to issue clear instructions on health and safety issues then they can be prevented.
Training to retain
Health & Safety in the workplace is a legal requirement at its core, however further training is more of a moral obligation as it is the process of working towards bettering the workplace & safety of employees. This protection has the effect of increasing job satisfaction with personal well-being being protected. This also helps improve staff retention which reduces the long term costs of training and recruitment. Staff members of whom feel like they are in a safer work environment and feel like the company is in fact investing in them to better their position are more likely to be happier when going into work and potentially increase efficiency
Financial Benefit
The financial penalties that are in place for businesses which do not train staff adequately can be substantial. Highly publicised incidents that come as a result of improper training will inevitably lead to legal battles within court and brand reputation damage. The temporary set back on the expenses for training end up cancelling out with the benefits that come with a fully trained workforce and management team.
Just once and done?
On site avoiding these types of incidents is crucial, the top goal of the organisation’s health and safety programme should be to ensure a proper training plan for all staff members with regular evaluation. The act of regular up to date training on the newest programs helps to assist with consistent workplace procedures being followed and adapted to ensure staff safety.
