Listening to Employees' Health and Safety Ideas

30 Oct Listening to Employees’ Health and Safety Ideas

Posted at 11:04h in Articles by Rachel Bell

We often hear “Why say anything or make suggestions for improvements to health and safety? Nobody listens!” when discussing health and safety ideas and improvements with employees of businesses.

If you are a health and safety auditor, this is a red flag statement, and it’s the catalyst to start to dig into the records, but also to go back to the company’s health and safety policy – is it just a piece of paper on the wall, with little evidence to show that what is being said is actually happening?

The subject of genuine responsive employee involvement becomes a concern, especially upon reading about this situation – Test pilot warned of dangers before fatal chopper crash.

In this particular case, the test pilots’ qualifications and qualified experience were overridden in a hierarchical powerplay that had serious consequences, not only for the helicopter crew, but I would like to think for the officers concerned and their future in the forces.

If you are a business owner, production or departmental manager, supervisor, or any person who has the ability to influence change when it comes to health and safety issues, I suggest you take a step back and be prepared to listen to your employees when it comes to H&S issues and concerns.

Why?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and 2016 Health and Safety at Work Regulations require that you do engage and involve your employees, not only in hazard and risk identification, but also in the development of practicable controls and in the monitoring of those controls. Read more here.

As a person of position, you do not have a mortgage on all knowledge, especially when it comes to the workplace. Your employees will have the answers or ideas to make your position easier, especially when it comes to health and safety. Read more here.

So, listen to your workforce, get them to document or submit their ideas for improvement, act on the ideas, give credit and recognition where it is due, and celebrate the wins!