United Kingdom 
South Africa 
April marks an important moment for workplace wellbeing, with World Day for Safety and Health at Work taking place each year on the 28th. Whether you run a small business or a large operation, now is the perfect time to review your health and safety practices.
In this article, we cover how prioritising health and safety can benefit your business, and share practical low cost tips to help you create a safer, healthier workplace.
Why is prioritising health and safety in the workplace important?
While complying with regulations is a prerequisite, when you put your people’s wellbeing first, the rewards are many fold and go beyond staying compliant. The benefits of good health and safety measures are an integral part of building a stronger, more resilient and ultimately, more successful business.
The HSE’s Workplace Injury and Ill Health Statistics 2024 show that UK businesses lost around 33.7 million working days due to work-related illness and injuries in 2023/24. Stress, depression, and anxiety alone account for 16.4 million days, while muscle and joint problems were the cause in another 7.8 million. With fewer sick days and fewer disruptions from you can help protect your business from these losses and keep performance high.
Having the right Health and Safety also protects your bottom line. A single workplace injury costs businesses an average of over £8,800 (HSE Cost to Britain Report 2022/23).
These work-related illnesses and injuries can be devastating for both individuals and businesses. By having strong health and safety practices, you can minimise their impact. And the good news is: they’re often easy to avoid with the right systems in place.
Good health and safety practices can also help you attract and keep great people. When you invest in strong health and safety practices, you’re not just protecting your people, you’re building a more dependable and productive workforce. The Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report 2023 found that employees who feel cared for are 58% more engaged. When people feel safe and supported, they’re more motivated, more loyal and more likely to recommend your business as a great place to work.
This has a ripple effect on your clients and partners: according to the British Safety Council, companies with a strong safety culture are three times more likely to be trusted.
What is the legal framework in the UK for health and safety at work?
In the UK, Health and safety at work is guided by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which sets clear and practical expectations for employers.
The legislation states that your main responsibilities are giving staff proper training, keeping the workplace safe, providing good welfare facilities, and making sure employees have the right information and supervision.
Is health and safety limited to high risk industries?
No, all jobs and all industries come with their specific set of occupational risks.
For example, office work falls under regulations like the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) rules. Supporting office workers can be as simple as offering free eye tests, carrying out workstation assessments, and encouraging regular breaks. Even small changes like adjusting chair height or monitor position can lead to noticeable improvements in comfort, productivity, and long term health for your employees.
For full details, you can visit the Health and Safety Executive or read the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Practical steps to improve health and safety in your business
Here are some simple, effective actions to improve the safety of your workplace:
Provide regular, up-to-date training
Many companies provide safety training as employees join. One easy action you can take is to consistently revisit health and safety training, ensuring that the information is fresh in everyone’s mind. Organisations such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) provide accessible, accredited training for all levels.
Involve your employees
You can engage your staff in risk assessments, safety discussions and decision making. Their insights can help spot potential issues early on and will likely increase engagement.
Create clear, simple and accessible safety procedures
Your health and safety policies should be easy to understand and easy to follow, with no hard to understand jargon or guesswork. By ensuring employees know exactly what’s expected of them in order to have a safe environment.
Maintain equipment and facilities
By regularly checking and maintaining any tools, machinery, and office equipment, you can help to prevent accidents in the workplace.
Encourage regular breaks
For roles that involve physical labor or standing for long periods, regular breaks help prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injury, keeping employees feeling their best throughout the day. For desk-based teams, it's a good idea to encourage stretching, proper desk setups, and regular screen breaks to avoid musculoskeletal problems and eye strain.
Have clear emergency plans
Having clear emergency plans (fire, medical, evacuation, etc.), and running drills ensures that everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong. Update employee emergency contact information at least once a year, so that your business will be best prepared.
A safer, happier workplace for your business
Every business, regardless of size or sector, has a role to play in creating safe, healthy environments. World Health and Safety at Work Day acts as a useful reminder that protecting your people is part of running a responsible, sustainable organisation.
If you’d like more support, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - the UK government’s official workplace health and safety body - offers detailed guidance, templates, and checklists tailored to UK employers: Health and safety basics for your business
