Collaboration key to reducing workplace accidents

Speaking at the beginning of this year’s EU-OSHA campaign – Working together for risk prevention – he said: "It’s common sense that any initiatives to improve workplace safety and health standards will be more effective when managers and employees work closely together.

It’s in the interest of all business owners and directors to involve workers; they’re the ones who are likely to have practical ideas on how to reduce the likelihood of a workplace accident. If a ‘safety first’ culture is to be engrained in any organisation then real and genuine cooperation should be the goal.”

According to research recently commissioned by the HSA, the most important source of information about workplace safety and health for an employee is his/her boss followed by the Health and Safety Authority itself.

O’Halloran continues: "Workers depend heavily on senior managers to be aware of workplace safety and health issues and to effectively fulfil their duties. Senior managers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure workers are not exposed to any unnecessary risk and, by involving workers in a meaningful way and working together with a common goal, the benefits of lower accident rates are huge. Apart from the reduction in human cost, lower insurance premiums, improved productivity and reduced absenteeism rates are just some of the tangible benefits to the bottom line.”