Making Business Changes? Don’t Forget Health and Safety

(Blog content by NIG Risk Assist)

Businesses are facing multiple challenges at the moment. Rising inflation and energy costs are affecting markets, reducing sales, and creating potential cash flow issues. Workforce pressures, such as layoffs, staff taking additional work, or difficulty finding skilled employees, add to the strain. Staff turnover can also disrupt internal training programmes that are vital for maintaining efficient operations.

If your business is considering changes, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace remains essential for efficiency, productivity, and ultimately profitability.

Reviewing Risk Assessments

Before implementing any major changes — whether in production processes or job responsibilities — it is important to carry out a fresh risk assessment. This helps identify potential hazards and ways to mitigate them.

Common areas where cost-saving changes may introduce risks include:

Lighting: Reducing lighting may save energy, but low light levels can create trip hazards, especially during shorter daylight hours. Maintaining low-level lighting in occupied areas, particularly near emergency exits, is important.

Heating: Lowering heating may affect productivity and increase the risk of burst pipes during cold weather. Maintaining a consistent, balanced temperature is key.

Skill development: If external recruitment is difficult, consider upskilling existing employees. Ensure that those delivering training have the necessary instructional skills to pass on knowledge effectively.

Staff morale: Rising living costs can increase stress and anxiety, affecting concentration, efficiency, and safety standards. Poor morale can result in distractions, inefficiencies, and higher risk of accidents.

Staffing reductions: If pay rises aren’t possible or layoffs occur, consider ways to support remaining employees, such as flexible working arrangements, reduced days, longer shifts, or hybrid options. Be alert to fatigue and stress, particularly for employees working with machinery or driving for work.

Engaging Employees

Consult both senior management and staff when planning changes. Employees “at the coalface” often have the best insight into improving processes and reducing waste. They can also help identify potential hazards created by changes.

Reinforce that health and safety remains a priority. Assess the skills your workforce will need in the future and identify the key employees to retain based on those capabilities.

For further guidance, visit the Sector Specific sections and the H&S A-Z on the NIG Risk Assist site.

Looking Ahead

A proactive strategy can help your business turn challenges into opportunities. Positive planning encourages decisive action, adoption of new productivity methods, reduction of inefficiencies, and stronger collaboration with employees, customers, and suppliers.