Factors affecting employees' safety and health increasingly influence companies' business strategies, says Agency
The traditional approach to health and safety at work through legislation and enforcement measures is changing, according to a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at work. 'An increasing number of companies and organisations themselves take the lead by promoting a positive safety and health culture through their marketing and procurement initiatives,' reports the Agency. 'The corporate as well as the public image of a company is becoming increasingly influenced by ethical, social and moral considerations,' it continues. 'This can affect market prospects as well as the ability to recruit and keep qualified and motivated staff.' As a result, employees' health and safety are becoming increasingly important to employers throughout the world. The new report cites a number of examples of voluntary schemes introduced by private and public organisations and companies in the marketing and procurement sector. 'They can be seen as a complementary 'tool' to traditional legislation and control activities by the responsible authorities as they aim at promoting a preventative culture,' says the Agency. The study describes: 1. The use of occupational safety and health as a criteria in purchasing products and services from other companies (procurement); and 2. The use of occupational safety and health as a marketing element for promoting the sales of their products or services.