In brief: study finds that occupational health and safety increases productivity

1.7 million people suffer work-related ill health in the UK every year, resulting in  significant productivity losses. It’s easy to imagine, therefore, that investment in occupational health and safety (OHS) would increase workplace productivity. This is exactly what a study published last year in the academic journal Safety Science has found. Here, we take a quick look at the study’s findings and their implications.  

What was the context?

The research was carried out within a UAE fire and security company. Over 1,000 employees in 15 departments work on fire protection, building management, and technological solutions. During the research period, the company launched a series of OHS initiatives, including:  

• The creation of a Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) SharePoint portal. 
• OHS training followed by training evaluation and refreshers. 
• Regular walkthrough inspections of work sites. 
• Emergency response drills. 
• The doubling of the number of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) officers. 
• Participation in external audits.  

What did the researchers do?

To investigate the impact of these OHS interventions, data were collected before and after their implementation. This comprised a survey that investigated employees’ thoughts on:  

• The hazards they encounter during their work. 
• The company’s health and safety activities. 
• Their awareness of health and safety principles. 
• Their engagement with health and safety practices at work.  

Employees’ productivity was measured by tracking their “productive hours” for a whole year before and after the interventions. Productive hours were defined as working or overtime hours minus “non-productive hours” such as those related to occupational injuries or illnesses, sick leave, training, annual leave, or other forms of paid leave.   

What did they find?

• The number of employee productive hours increased after introduction of the OHS measures. This result was statistically significant, meaning that the increase was very unlikely to be due to chance.  
• Improvements in employees’ perception of workplace hazards, company policies and procedures, and their own OHS awareness were also significantly associated with better productivity; although the results for employee engagement with OHS practices were inconclusive.  

What does it mean?

• The findings support the theory that, when people are physically and emotionally well and able to carry out their work, performance is higher, and this leads to higher levels of productivity.  
• In addition, by analysing employees’ perceptions of OHS, the study provides further characterisation of “safety climate” or culture theory, which the author defines as OHS “as seen through its employees’ eyes”. 
• The above theory also links health, safety, and productivity to profit. Indeed, studies suggest a “business case” – or commercial argument – for OHS measures. However, the study discussed here notes that OHS interventions are often seen as an expenditure that can be forgone. The findings should help to counter this belief.  
• The researcher is also keen to point out that, while employee productivity is a key and valuable metric, additional success markers of OHS execution can give a more rounded evaluation of company efforts. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention emphasise outcomes such as morale and worker retention.  
• Finally, the study demonstrates which OHS interventions are effective. Access the paper here and browse everything the company implemented.   

Looking for Occupational Hygiene services?

Accredited by the British Occupational Hygiene Society and with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems) certification, Cura Terrae are dedicated to ensuring workplaces are safe and workers are protected. Our industry experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you: carry out COSHH Risk Assessments, train your employees, and mitigate risks from air pollutants, biological contaminants, electromagnetic fields, vibrations, and noise. Find out more here, and get in touch with us today.   

Read more: Cura Terrae’s Occupational Hygiene Director, Susan Lett, talks through more benefits of OHS.