Safety as value driver?
  • Peter Bateman
    272
    In the forthcoming Nov/Dec edition of Safeguard we pose three questions based on stories in the magazine. One of them is this:

    Gavin Hudson from C3 describes safety as one of the company’s ‘value drivers’. This would certainly help grab the attention of an executive team and board.
    Is this a concept that you would promote in your own organisation or with your clients? If so, how do you think it would it be received?

    Feel free to respond here on the Forum, or privately here via a Survey Monkey form.

    An edited selection of responses will be published in the Jan/Feb edition, but with no names attached. One randomly selected person will receive a prize, namely a copy of the book OHS Voices From The Resistance by Rosa Antonio Carrillo.
    Peter Bateman Options
  • Chris Peace
    86
    Some thoughts and references.
    There is evidence of a positive effect of safety on firm performance. I have a collection of research-based articles in my teaching material, plus others not (yet) included. Most are behind a paywall.
    US National Safety Council report at https://www.nsc.org/workplace/resources/new-value-of-safety?
    Fernández-Muñiz, B., Montes-Peón, J. M., & Vázquez-Ordás, C. J. (2009). Relation between occupational safety management and firm performance. Safety Science, 47(7), 980-991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2008.10.022
    Finneran, A., Hartley, R., Gibb, A., Cheyne, A., & Bust, P. (2012). Learning to adapt health and safety initiatives from mega projects: an Olympic case study. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 10(2), 81-102.
    Lamm, F., Massey, C., & Perry, M. (2007). Is there a link between Workplace Health and Safety and Firm Performance and Productivity? New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations, 32(1), 72-86.
    Chris Peace Options
  • MattD2
    339
    There is evidence of a positive effect of safety on firm performance. — Chris Peace

    Or is it a firms performance has a positive effect on safety, and is it a causal relationship or just a correlation?
    MattD2 Options
  • Chris Peace
    86
    Matt, your comment is valid but the research shows a positive effect on the bottom line. That doesn't mean every business will be more profitable if is better at OHS.
    Chris Peace Options
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