Cut the risks – cut the cost: new videos show how
10th March 2015

Over half a Trillion Eur was lost last year across Europe because occupational risks were not properly managed, according to the British Safety Council, which has released two new videos aimed at tackling the problem.

The videos, ‘Business Benefits’ and ‘Economic Incentives’, were made with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and present “the costs of failure, the benefits of taking action to train workers and ensure safe and healthy systems of work, and possible incentives to encourage employers to do more,” said Neal Stone, Acting Chief Executive of the British Safety Council.

“With Eur570bn wasted and 450 million work days lost each year across the EU, it is clearly in every employer’s interest to take health and safety seriously. Our ‘Benefits’ video presents evidence to support claims that investing in health and safety produces a return on investment, through better productivity and avoided sick leave, of 2.2; that is employers get over two Euros back for every Euro invested.

“Still however not enough employers are taking action to invest in health and safety. As well highlighting the evidence of the benefits, other parties can incentivise employers to do more. Our ‘Incentives’ video examines a ‘points’ approach to setting insurance premiums that is being trialled in Germany; and how the tax system can encourage employers to invest in training or safer machinery.

“We hope these videos will both bring home the seriousness of health and safety and stimulate ideas and action to prevent further injury and ill-health at work. As EU-OSHA says, a general approach that includes training, involving workers and a commitment from senior management is decisive for good health and safety.”

‘Business benefits of health and safety’ and ‘Economic incentives for investing in health and safety’ are freely available from the BSC.

www.britsafe.org