Despite the fact that businesses in the UK are legally required to carry out workplace risk assessments for the purposes of health and safety, it can also afford a number of additional advantages. Along with the avoidance of injury and illness to employees, performing a risk assessment can boost security too.
Therefore, you can rest assured that your business and its assets will remain protected no matter what. What’s more, you will not be subject to any claims or insurance premiums and can simultaneously comply with your moral and ethical obligations as well.
Legal requirements
Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, businesses must assess any health and safety risks at work, which can include security-based threats.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for overseeing this business obligation and can order improvements or even prosecute organisations that have overlooked poor conditions or their legal requirements.
Safe environment
It might sound like a cliché, but safe employees are happy employees. By encouraging safety in the workplace, which not only includes using the right equipment in the right way but also following best practice in terms of security procedure, you can reap several rewards.
For example, members of staff will be more motivated to complete their daily duties. This means the business will reduce lost production time through employee absenteeism
Financial stability
There are a number of ways in which your business could lose out financially by not performing regular risk assessments. When it comes to illness and injury, significant losses can result from prolonged downtime, reduced productivity, medical expenses, and even personal injury claims.
As for a break-in due to careless security measures, you could suffer from the theft of expensive assets, sensitive customer information, or important financial records. The long-term impact of a damaged reputation also needs to be considered.
Moral reasons
Employers are ethically bound to do whatever they can to ensure the health and safety of employees, which isn’t just limited to workplace accidents or incidents but also includes situations relating to security.
On top of that, a risk assessment enables customers to come and go as they please, safe in the knowledge that your business is doing everything in its power to guarantee their well being. Organisations that come into contact with the wider general public also have this moral duty.
