Safety as a core value

Why must safety be treated as a core value for the creation of a positive work environment?

It is very important for companies to demonstrate care for the employees and all other interested parties and stakeholders. This ensures compliance with legal and regulations, fosters trust and morale, improves productivity and reputation, supports sustainability and CSR and contributes to financial performance and managing risks.

The companies’ leadership team should release that treating safety as a core value goes beyond compliance. Safety as a core value involves a deep commitment to creating a safety culture throughout the organisation, where every decision, action and process is influenced by the organisation’s unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of all involved staff. Companies which consider safety as a core value establish safety as “not just something you follow”, but rather a “part of who you are as a company”.

What can the legal and financial consequences be of failing to prioritising safety as a core value?

Failing to prioritise safety as a core value can result in a range of legal and financial consequences that can be detrimental to the organisation. Beyond the financial cost, it can harm the company’s reputation and long-term sustainability; therefore organisations are advised to view safety as a core value to mitigate these significant risks. Ignoring this philosophy can result in financial penalties, an increase in the number of lost time injuries and possible fatalities, leading to substantial fines and suspension of production and operations, or the revoking of licences from authorities and other stakeholders.