Safety training in the workplace is not just a must because it is required by law but it is also strongly recommended because it makes smart business sense. Keep in mind that people are the most important assets of an organization, thus, the effective and efficient implementation of safety systems in the work place contributes to its protection. Indeed, safety training among employees is one of the best business investments any organization can make!

Good Compliance with the Law

Did you know that, under New Zealand’s current laws, an employer can be fined $500,000 for each offense and two years’ imprisonment for violation of health and safety standards in the workplace? Such a substantial amount can put a dent, so to speak, into the organization’s bottom line, not to mention the costs in terms of reduced employee productivity and worker morale, among other repercussions.

Despite such strict laws, the New Zealand government wants to impose stricter standards! Harsher penalties for conduct that exposes workers to risk of death or injury in the workplace will be imposed; companies will be held liable for health and safety subcontractors; and safety training in the work place will be enforced in a stricter manner, among other changes.

In fact,WorkSafe New Zealand, a new regulatory body,will also be provided with the power to inspect workplaces, to issue infringement notices sans warning, and to prosecute. Your organization will certainly benefit from implementing effective and efficient safety standards in the workplace. In South Africa and in other parts of the world similar legislations are been implemented. There is unfortunately still a long road ahead when it comes to compliance.

Reduced Worker Accident Claims

Yet another instance where safety training benefits an organization is in the reduced worker accident claims, which can also eat away at profits. Just think about it: When one of your workers is injured on the job, no thanks to the work place’s unsafe conditions or the lack of safety training, your company will be required to pay for thousands of dollars in benefits, workers’ compensation, and even medical care.

With a safe workplace and safety training in the work place for workers, you can enjoy reduced worker accident claims because there are reduced accidents! Plus, you can even enjoy lower insurance premiums, thus, improving on your bottom line.

But that’s not all either. Workers will also enjoy lesser stress in the work place, which means lesser missed work time and greater employee productivity. By now, you can conclude that the bottom line – profits – will be improved by such benefit, thanks to reduced costs.