In 2024, nearly 800,000 workers in the UK suffered from work-related stress and mental health challenges, while 16.4 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety2. The stakes are indisputably high. And it is clear that health and safety training plays a vital role in combatting this rising concern for employers. Inadequate training can be expensive for organisations: both directly and indirectly.
Direct costs are easily identified and comprise of immediate expenses like temporary replacement of an employee and repairs. The employer may also have to pay potential criminal and civil penalties.
Indirect costs, however, are expenses that usually arise as a consequence of a health and safety incident and cannot be easily calculated in the short term. These costs can exceed direct costs, and are highly variable based on the nature of the injury or event. These can include:
- Loss of productivity
- Loss of earning power
- Decreased efficiency
- Reputational damage
- Increased insurance premiums
- Expense required to recruit and train a new worker
- Expense of repairing damaged equipment
Requirement for early intervention/care
Understanding the need for early intervention and adequate care when dealing with mental health challenges among employees is critical for employers. Managers and supervisors need to be well-informed about mental health. And it is important for an open culture to be encouraged, where employees feel comfortable talking about any concerns they have with regards to their mental health.
Legal and regulatory requirements for employee health and safety
In the UK, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) governs workplace health and safety. This law requires employers to protect the health, welfare and safety of employees and those affected by work activities. Key duties include staff training, welfare provisions, maintaining safe work environments and providing supervision.
Moreover, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 complement the HSWA by ensuring that workplaces are safe and suitable. These regulations cover employee comfort, appropriate working environments and safety provisions, such as proper equipment maintenance, clear walkways and protection from hazards, as well as promoting overall workplace safety.
Benefits of health and safety training
Implementing a comprehensive workplace health and safety training programme provides numerous important advantages.
- Increased awareness: Employees gain a better understanding of potential risks, which contributes to a safer work environment.
- Regulatory adherence: Employers can avoid significant legal penalties by complying with regulations.
- Financial benefits: Recent data indicates that the annual cost of workplace injuries in 2022/2023 reached £7.1 billion1. Furthermore, in 2023/2024, approximately 33.7 million working days were lost in the UK owing to work-related illnesses and non-fatal injuries1. Effective training can help reduce these incidents, leading to substantial cost savings and improved productivity.
- Employee protection: Reduces the likelihood of injuries and health issues related to work, which is crucial for employee trust, morale and wellbeing. In 2023/2024, about 600,000 workers suffered non-fatal injuries at work, while 138 workers were killed in work-related accidents1.
Significance of health and safety training
Robust health and safety training plays a crucial role in the workplace by ensuring compliance and safeguarding employees. Engaging a reputable organisation to deliver training is vital; this will help maintain high-quality standards and credibility.
Employers can go beyond the fundamental obligations set by the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974 by establishing a proactive safety culture in the organisation. Regular updates to training can help make employees aware of emerging risks, procedures and equipment.
Moreover, training should be an ongoing process for all staff, not just new hires. Offering refresher courses, implementing scenario-based training and encouraging employee feedback can greatly enhance safety performance and decrease workplace incidents.
Gallagher can help you and your business
Gallagher's dedicated risk management team offers a wide selection of bespoke services and solutions to support your business and mitigate and control your risks. We can arrange both online and face-to-face training to suit your needs. Get in touch with our team today or call us on 0800 612 3638 to discuss how we can support staff development and risk mitigation.
