Why safety should be a top priority
Statistics don’t lie. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), in 2022, there were 993 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada, thirty-three of which were young workers aged fifteen to twenty-four. And according to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Board of Canada (AWCBC), over 183 workers in construction lost their lives in 2022. The construction industry is all about building the future, but the consequences of poor health and safety in construction can be life-altering. Every day, workers face potential hazards on job sites. From working at heights and operating heavy machinery to navigating busy work zones, safety is vital.
Consequences of poor health and safety
The construction industry is very dynamic, so there’s always a lot being juggled; from projects and deadlines to budgets. Even so, it’s always important to prioritize safety; it isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a smart business move. Your employees are your most valuable assets. When they’re healthy and safe, they’re more productive, more engaged, and likelier to stay with your company. A strong safety culture shows you care, and that builds a happier, more loyal workforce.
Just because you prioritize safety doesn’t mean you can stop every accident. Accidents will happen, but a proactive approach to safety can significantly reduce the consequences you face when they do.
A workplace injury can harm your business in several ways. Think of prioritizing safety as a long-term investment; putting some of your resources into safety now can save you from worse consequences later.
Ultimately, when safety is a priority, everything runs smoother. You’ll see increased productivity, fewer delays, and a more positive work environment. These benefits all contribute to better project outcomes, happier clients, and a healthier bottom line.
How poor health and safety can hurt your business
Ignoring health and safety in construction isn’t just risky, it’s bad for business. Cutting corners might seem to save time and money in the short term, but the long-term consequences can be devastating. We can break these consequences down into both financial and human costs.
Financial costs of poor health and safety
Think about the direct costs of a workplace accident. Medical expenses pile up, workers’ compensation claims increase, and legal battles drain your resources. Suddenly, the consequences of poor health and safety appear in a mountain of expenses.
The productivity of your workforce will also take a hit. When someone gets hurt, projects grind to a halt, especially if the injured person is in a key role (such as a project manager or a worker with specialized skills).
Lost time, delays, and the scramble to find replacements all damage your bottom line. Deadlines are missed, clients become dissatisfied, and projects go overbudget. When you’re tempted by the savings from de-prioritizing health and safety training, think of these costs instead.
And don’t forget about reputational damage. Word travels quickly in the construction industry. A reputation for neglecting safety can make it hard to win new contracts and attract skilled workers. Who wants to work for a company that won’t prioritize their wellbeing? Who wants to hire a company with a bad safety record?
Human costs of poor health and safety
Besides the substantial financial costs, there are the human costs, and these could be immeasurable. Injuries, whether minor or life-altering, cause pain, suffering, and emotional distress. A workplace accident can have lasting consequences for a worker’s physical and mental health, affecting their ability to earn a living and enjoy life to the fullest.
When a worker is injured, their family suffers, too. They face emotional stress, financial burdens, and the challenges of providing care and support. The ripple effects of a workplace accident spread far beyond the person who was injured.
A company that doesn’t prioritize safety damages its trustworthiness. Workers become disengaged, communication breaks down, and productivity suffers in the long run. This negativity can also afflict the entire workplace, and it’s easy to see how that can depress the morale of people who work there.
Investing in health and safety is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting your most valuable asset—your people. It’s about creating a work environment where everyone feels safe. When you put health and safety first, you’re not just building a safer workplace, you’re building a stronger, more successful business in the long run.
Building safer workplaces
Creating a safety culture isn’t just ticking boxes and complying with legislation. It’s creating an environment where everyone feels responsible for their own safety and the safety of their team. This starts with leadership setting the tone. When your leadership team prioritizes safety, it sends a powerful message throughout the organization. Make sure everyone understands that safety is non-negotiable. Back that up with comprehensive health and safety training that’s relevant to the tasks and hazards on your job sites. Keep it engaging and interactive, and provide ongoing refreshers.
Communication is key. Encourage your team to report hazards, near misses, and any safety concerns. You can even reward reports to show how serious you are.
Hold regular safety meetings and site inspections to keep safety top of mind. And don’t forget to leverage technology! There are some great tools out there—online training platforms, mobile apps, safety management software—that can streamline your processes and make it easier to manage safety effectively.
Finally, remember to celebrate success! Recognize and reward safe behaviours and achievements. This reinforces the importance of safety and creates a positive culture where everyone feels valued.
Avoid the costly consequences of poor health and safety with Citation Canada’s experts at your side.
Need support streamlining procedures and championing a safety-first culture in your organization? Citation Canada (formerly HRdownloads) has you covered! We have a comprehensive suite of HR resources available, including health and safety software to manage training and track incidents, unlimited advice from our team of HR advisors and health and safety consultants, a secure human resource information system (HRIS), and a library of downloadable templates, checklists, toolkits and more.
Schedule a demo or explore pricing options and see how we can help simplify your HR responsibilities with dependable services and expert support you can trust.