The role of an employer is not limited to timely salary payments to employees. It extends to ensuring workplace security and safety as well. When a work environment is safe, it makes employees rest assured that their company cares about their welfare.
Neglecting workplace safety for whatever reasons can cost a company more than it can envisage. According to an attorney at Goidel and Siegel, an NYC personal injury law firm, “neglecting workplace safety can cause a company legal repercussion that can soil their name. They will also compensate the employee who might have been a victim, which usually results in heavy financial consequences”.
Not prioritizing the safety of workers in a work environment can result in legal and financial consequences. Organizations, therefore, have to be proactive in maintaining workplace safety. Maintaining safety protocols saves companies from contributing to injured staff. It also protects the organization from incurring fines if they are found non-compliant in case of a surprise health and safety inspection.
Consequences of Neglecting Workplace Safety.
Penalties and Fines.
If accidents and injuries happen due to a company’s negligence, they can receive a fine when found guilty in court. In severe cases, a jail sentence is possible. These penalties help to ensure that companies are accountable for their staff welfare, which makes them put necessary measures in place for their protection.
Lawsuits.
Employees can file a lawsuit against a company for lack of workplace care. This can be in case of accidents due to faulty machines, poorly secured environments, and neglected reports. As long as there are pieces of evidence to show that the company was really at fault, then employees have a chance of being compensated.
Companies lose time, money, energy, and reputation when they get involved in lawsuits. By investing early on in comprehensive health and safety protocols, an organization can avoid going to court.
Compensation Claims.
Workplace accidents can make employees lay compensation claims. The amount the employer will pay will depend on the extent and severity of the damage caused. The employer has to pay the said amount to avoid further consequences, which can cause financial burdens on the company.
Higher Deaths and Injuries.
Weak safety culture leads to increased employee injury and deaths. Every year, millions of workers die from workplace accidents and injuries. Enhancing safety can reduce the amount of workplace deaths and injuries that a business causes.
Reduced Morale, Productivity, and Loss of Manpower.
When employees find themselves in an unsafe work environment, they can lose their passion for work. Lack of motivation can cause reduced productivity, which may affect the company’s income. Putting safety measures in place enhances workers’ morale and productivity, which boosts revenue for the company.
Also, when employees feel that the work environment is a threat to their lives, they may begin to leave. This is not limited to those who may quit because they are victims but also those who have perceived danger. Also, affected workers may need some time off to recover. As a result, the company begins to lose productivity and may run low on profits.
Brand Reputation Damage
Poor safety and security history can soil a business name. A bad reputation can keep potential employees, investors, and partners from associating with the company. A damaged company reputation will often result in a financial loss and inhibit potential growth and expansion.
Total Work Cessation
Severe and continuous safety issues may lead to the intervention of regulatory bodies. They can make decisions like shutting down the company until issues are resolved. This will hamper the overall productivity and financial health of the company. Companies sure want to avoid this and take proactive steps against it.
Regulatory Compliance Cost
To correct safety violations, companies may have to invest heavily in more secure types of equipment and safer environments. They may even need to organize training where applicable for process improvement. This helps to avoid future damages and may have a severe impact on the company funds.
Higher Insurance Premiums
Lack of safety measures can result in compensation claims and other legal fines. It can also cause increased liability insurance premiums, which incur more costs for the company.
Cost of Equipment Damage
Neglecting to repair faulty machines and equipment can lead to accidents and even cause more severe damage. This could incur higher repair costs and even call for unplanned replacement costs.
Employees are legally required to create and maintain a safe workplace. It will provide an enabling environment for workers and help the company avoid brand image damage and higher operational costs. It is a legitimate right of an employee to request that their employers take steps to enhance their safety. Some ways to improve safety at work include training workers on safety measures, attending to safety reports as soon as possible, repairing malfunctioning machines duly, and encouraging cleanliness at the workplace.
