Between 2021 and 2022, workplace injuries and work-related health issues in the UK cost an estimated £18.8 billion, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Beyond the financial impact, accidents can harm a company’s reputation and impact employee morale. By prioritising safety, businesses fulfil a moral obligation while safeguarding employee well-being and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The Hidden Costs of Workplace Accidents

You’ve likely seen this headline in reports, brochures, and more than one keynote presentation: What if we stopped talking about safety like it's 1995? Let’s talk about safety differently, not just as a box to tick, but as a real driver of performance. Because behind every avoided incident, there’s:

• Time saved
• Energy preserved
• Stress defused

And above all:

• A team that moves forward without tension, because no one’s dealing with sudden shift changes, unpredictable hours, and the frustration that follows
• A business that runs without friction (Workload adjustments, workflow disruptions…)
• A leadership team that isn't always in crisis mode and not constantly stuck managing reputational fallout, explaining incidents to corporate, calming insurers, reassuring social partners and reporting to local authorities

All of this has a real cost.

Time lost, energy drained, schedules reshuffled, crisis management, emergency communication, unplanned absences — these aren't just operational headaches. They translate into concrete financial impact. And beyond the numbers, there's the human cost: the stress, the disruption, and the emotional toll of an accident — especially the kind you can’t put a price on.

Let’s talk cost for a second.

To keep it concrete, we’ve chosen hand injuries. Why? Because a hand is involved in almost every task — and when it’s injured, the impact is immediate, visible, and measurable. And most importantly: it’s exactly what we protect.

Based on available data on hand injuries:

• Minor injuries (sprains, small cuts): 1–7 days off work
• Fractures or minor surgeries: 2–6 weeks off work
• Serious injuries (tendon damage, complex fractures): weeks to months, sometimes with lasting disability

A European study reports an average of 15–30 days off for moderate hand injuries, and the cost?

• €4,000 to €20,000+ per case, depending on severity, lost time, and industry
• Some studies report costs up to €75,000 per serious case¹

Workplace accidents don’t just affect the injured employee; they disrupt operations, increase costs, and can even harm your company’s reputation. Prevention is always more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of an incident.

• Lost productivity: Employees need time to recover, leading to project delays and workflow disruptions.
• Workload adjustments: Teams must redistribute tasks or assign light duties, which can strain resources.
• Rising insurance premiums: Frequent workplace incidents increase insurance costs and claims.
• Investigation and compliance costs: Time and resources are spent on incident investigations, reporting, and implementing corrective measures.

Failing to invest in safety measures often results in higher turnover, legal liabilities, and decreased employee morale, making workplace safety a non-negotiable priority.

HOW LEADERS CAN BUILD A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE?

• Ensure the integration of the occupational health and safety system into the organisation's strategic processes
• Provide the necessary resources to support safety initiatives
• Promote a strong culture of safety and prevention throughout the company
• Support roles and responsibilities related to occupational health and safety
• Provide training on proper use and disposal by equipping the workforce with the knowledge to correctly wear, remove, and dispose of PPE is essential. Training reduces misuse, improves compliance, and ensures that protective equipment delivers the intended level of safety.

So, what does it take to create a safe working environment?

Businesses must take a proactive approach to workplace safety. The safest companies implement proven strategies that protect their teams and boost productivity. Here’s how you can start:

1. Have a Clear View of Your Hazards and Risky Situations

2. Build a Strong Action Plan to Reduce Risks and Protect Your Team
Building an action plan based on the results of your risk analysis is essential, always keeping in mind that eliminating the hazard whenever possible is the best way to reduce risk. Unfortunately, we know that this is sometimes difficult, or even impossible.

REMEMBER!

Your gloves don’t just protect hands, they protect:

• Your margins
• Your deadlines
• Your reputation
• And your peace of mind

Stop choosing PPE blindly. Choose it like you would an investment.

3. Make Smarter PPE Decisions for Lasting Safety 

• Evaluation of PPE performance against relevant standards and the actual conditions in which it will be used.
• Consultation with end users to confirm practicality, comfort, and acceptance.
• Regular review and continuous improvement to address emerging risks, updated standards, or changes in work practices.
• Provide training on proper use and disposal by equipping the workforce with the knowledge to correctly wear, remove, and dispose of PPE is essential. Training reduces misuse, improves compliance, and ensures that protective equipment delivers the intended level of safety.

This structured approach ensures PPE is not only compliant on paper but also effective in practice. It further enhances audit readiness (whether you are ISO445001 certified or hold any other safety management certification) by establishing a transparent decision trail.

• Every selection must justify why one product was chosen over another, showing clear alignment with risk assessments.
• Documentation must demonstrate traceability from identified risks through to worksite use and employee training.

4. Foster a Strong Safety Culture

A culture where people do the right thing even when no one’s watching. Encourage employees to take an active role in workplace safety. Empower teams to report hazards, reward safe behaviour, and create open communication channels for safety concerns. A safety-first culture leads to long-term behavioural change and risk reduction.

5. Setting Up Leading KPIs for Smarter Safety Management

Leading KPIs are proactive measures that help you identify risks and prevent incidents before they happen. By tracking indicators like safety training completion, hazard reports, or near-miss incidents, you gain early insights into your safety performance.

Implementing leading KPIs enables you to act quickly, reduce risks, and create a safer workplace — all while improving productivity and reducing costs.

Focus on leading KPIs to stay ahead of problems instead of just reacting to them.