11.4. Health and Safety at Work

In a typical week in Britain, 9 workers are killed; a child, an adult, and an elderly person are killed, and 400 people suffer major injuries – all as a result of work-related accidents.

The statistics on work-related accidents in Britain are grim. It is not surprising, therefore, that firms are required by law to provide a healthy and safe environment for their workers and customers. Implementing health and safety measures adds to business costs in the short run.

However, a firm that does not consider the interests of its employees is unlikely to achieve its business goals. A healthier workforce, and one that has fewer accidents, is more productive, and will reduce costs in the long run.

Health and safety measures in the workplace include the following: 

• promoting hygienic conditions;

• protecting workers from hazardous substances;

• training staff in health and safety matters;

• providing ear protectors against noise;

• maintaining safety equipment and clothing;

• allowing breaks for lunch and tea so that workers do not become tired;

• providing First Aid kits and training for medical officers;

• controlling workplace temperature;

• reducing workplace air and noise pollution.

Clearly, the need for many of these measures will vary depending on the workplace. For example, office workers will primarily need to be aware of fire drills and precautions relating to the prolonged use of computer screens, the movement of office furniture, etc. By contrast, many industrial workers regularly come into contact with potentially dangerous machinery and substances, and will need much greater levels of protection.

Data collected by the Labour Force Survey on the number of employees absent from work due to illness or injury during Summer 1994 shows that employee absence rends to be higher in primary and secondary industries, namely mineral extraction, manufacturing, and construction, and among plant or machine operatives. However, the data does not distinguish between minor or major injuries, nor does it indicate whether the ‘sickness’ in question is a common ailment, like a cold, or is related to the working environment.

11.5. Reducing Pollution from Production

In the working environment

Some manufacturing processes result in potentially harmful pollutants being released into the air and some can be very noisy. If employees’ health and stress levels are not to suffer, employers must make sure that appropriate measures are taken to reduce air and noise pollution. This can be done by issuing employees with protective clothing and equipment. However, wearing masks and ear mufflers may impede worker efforts and so production processes must be investigated for possible solutions. For example, extractor fans, new less noisy equipment and sound proofing could be deployed.

In the natural environment

However, it is not just workers who may suffer from pollution. Harmful pollutants can be released into the air and water supplies as the result of production in many factories.

Farms may use chemical sprays to protect crops that harm fish and animals. Office work can also result in piles of waste paper. Oil spills can occur at drilling platforms and from tankers. Radiation may leak from nuclear power plants.

Increasing concern for the environment has resulted not only in legislation to control pollution but also firms taking the initiative to make sure they produce goods and services which meet the changing desires of consumers. For example, the Clean Air Act and Environmental Protection Act set limits on the type and amount of pollutants firms can discharge into the atmosphere, rivers and seas. The new Environment Agency for England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be largely responsible for the control of industrial pollution and waste, and for the regulation of the water environment.

Changing consumer demands for more environment friendly products and less damaging methods of production have also resulted in an increasing number of firms adopting many other environmental measures that have changed the way they produce their goods and services. For example:

• wood merchants and furniture makers making sure their supplies are from renewable forests and not tropical rain forests;

• fitting catalytic converters on motor vehicles to reduce exhaust emissions;

• using new chemicals in fridges and aerosol cans that no longer destroy the ozone layer;

• halting the testing of products and ingredients on animals;

• using more recycled materials and biodegradable packaging.