Cost-cutting measures at the expenses of OSH should not be introduced

As a national institute established to promote occupational safety and health for industries, NIOSH advises employers at all workplaces not to introduce or implement cost-cutting measures at the expense of the safety and health of their employees.

While we realize that employers have taken various measures to cut costs for their operations arising from the steep hike in fuel prices, we would advise that this should not be done at the expense of the safety and health of their employees.

Companies must not stinge or cut costs when it comes to maintaining safe plant and machinery, provision of a personal protective equipment or even investment in occupational safety and health in general.

This is because if accidents occur, lives may be lost and productivity will be affected.

And when accidents occur at the worksite, the employers will have to endure greater losses in terms of work stoppage, medical payment, compensation etc.

As workers must be assured of their rights to a safe and healthy work environment, there is a need to provide them with information, education and training so that they know best how to protect themselves.

Through the implementation of safe work procedures as well as the usage of personal protective equipment, the workers will be able to prevent accidents.

Accidents don’t just happen as they are caused and as such they can be prevented.

Making the workplace safe is a joint responsibility of both the employers and the workers. Safety should be a key issue at every workplace.

Safety training for employees is the key to achieving a successful safety programme and management must be committed to invest in safety at all times.

An accident-free environment helps the company to save and increase the organisation’s productivity and profitability. It will also help to boost the morale of the workforce.