How HR and Health & Safety Work Together to Create a Safer Workplace

How do HR and Health & Safety Work Together?

Both HR (Human Resources) and Health & Safety are two critical departments in any business. While their primary responsibilities may differ, their collaboration is crucial in fostering a safe, healthy, and productive work environment. Today we’re going to explore how HR and Health & Safety work hand-in-hand to ensure employee well-being and business compliance.

Setting the Foundation: Shared Responsibilities

HR and Health & Safety share the common goal of protecting employees. While HR focuses on policies related to employee relations, benefits, and compliance, Health & Safety ensures that working conditions meet legal and ethical standards. Here are some key areas where their responsibilities intersect:

• Employee Welfare: HR manages employee welfare programs, while Health & Safety identifies workplace hazards that could impact welfare.
• Compliance: HR keeps track of the Law, while Health & Safety ensures adherence to Safety Regulations.

Developing Comprehensive Policies

One of the main areas where HR and Health & Safety work together is in creating and implementing Policies.

• Health & Safety Policies: Health & Safety teams develop protocols to prevent workplace accidents, and HR integrates these into employee handbooks. For example, emergency evacuation procedures and accident reporting procedures.
• Leave and Return-to-Work Policies: HR crafts leave policies (like sick or maternity leave) while consulting with Health & Safety to address health-related work restrictions, ensuring employees return to work in a safe and supported manner.

Recruiting and Onboarding: Building Safety from Day One

HR plays a pivotal role in recruiting the right candidates and introducing them to the company’s safety culture during onboarding.

• Pre-employment Screening: HR can work with Health & Safety to identify any job-specific health requirements, ensuring candidates meet the physical or mental demands of the role.
• Safety Training: During onboarding, HR coordinates with Health & Safety to provide training on workplace safety, emergency procedures, and equipment handling to minimize the risk of accidents. Have a look at our Onboarding Training Bundle here.

Ongoing Training and Development

HR and Health & Safety continuously collaborate to provide employees with ongoing training, promoting a culture of safety.

• Regular Safety Training: Health & Safety is responsible for providing training on topics like first aid, fire safety, or hazard communication, while HR ensures that these programs are delivered consistently and that attendance records are maintained.
• Mental Health and Well-being: HR implements mental health programs (like Workplace Wellbeing Toolkits) in partnership with Health & Safety, which provides insights into workplace conditions that may affect mental well-being.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

When an incident occurs, a joint effort from HR and Health & Safety is necessary to manage the situation effectively.

• Accident Reporting: Health & Safety often leads the investigation of workplace accidents, while HR manages the documentation and reporting requirements for compliance purposes.
• Employee Support: HR offers support to affected employees, including counselling and sick leave, while Health & Safety works on identifying root causes and preventing future incidents.

Cultivating a Culture of Safety

A safety-conscious culture is a shared objective for both HR and Health & Safety. Together, they:

• Encourage Open Communication: HR creates channels for employees to report hazards or concerns without fear of retaliation, while Health & Safety provides the expertise to address these concerns promptly.
• Recognize and Reward Safe Behaviour: HR can work with Health & Safety to develop reward programs that recognise employees who follow safety procedures, contributing to a culture that values safety.

Compliance and Record-Keeping

Maintaining compliance with Health and Safety regulations is a joint responsibility.

• Documentation: Health & Safety keeps records of safety inspections, incident reports, and training sessions, while HR manages employee files and medical records, ensuring all documentation aligns with privacy laws.
• Regulatory Audits: HR and Health & Safety collaborate to prepare for audits, sharing necessary documents, training records, and compliance reports.

HR and Health & Safety play distinct yet complementary roles in promoting a safe workplace. By working together, they create an environment where employees feel valued and protected. A robust partnership between these departments not only ensures legal compliance but also fosters a culture of health, safety, and well-being, ultimately leading to higher productivity and employee satisfaction.

If you’re looking to implement an unstoppable HR and Health and Safety duo then look no further than Craven Consultancy Services. With our joint retainer you can be sure that these core arms of your business can make your workplace safer and healthier for everyone.