Workplace safety
Is your organization doing enough to guarantee safety in the workplace? A safe workplace is vitally important to everyone. It’s even a legal stipulation that employees are entitled to it. Accidents often occur in a small corner but can have major consequences for everyone involved. So it’s good to be aware of safety in the workplace. In this blog you will read the answers to the following questions:
- Why is it good to improve safety in your workplace?
- What laws apply to safety in the workplace?
- How does ISO certification contribute to a safe workplace?
- How do VCA and the SCL contribute to workplace safety?
- How do you guarantee safety in the warehouse?
Why is it good to improve safety in your workplace?
As an organization you want to provide a safe workplace for your employees. Complying with safety standards such as VCA, ISO 45001 and the Safety Culture Ladder forms part of this. Holding certification lets you demonstrate that you meet the standard. Improving safety in your organization brings several benefits, such as:
- fewer industrial accidents
- lower absenteeism costs
- higher employee satisfaction
- a pleasant working environment
- a better reputation, both internally and externally
What laws apply to safety in the workplace?
Every organization bears specific responsibilities concerning safe work. Not all are optional. Workplace safety also forms part of our legislation. Consider the obligation to provide employees with a safe workplace, tools and methods. You must also give your employees the necessary instructions enabling them to perform their work safely.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (‘Arbeidsomstandighedenwet’ or ‘Arbowet’ in Dutch) aims to ensure that employees can work safely and healthily. It promotes good working conditions, and prevents illness and disability. The act contains rules for both employers and employees. Sectors can compile their own health and safety catalog, stipulating sector-specific agreements, for example, on methods, techniques and standards. If you are not in compliance with the regulations, the Labour Inspectorate can fine your organization. Naturally this should not be the motive for wanting to create a safe workplace.
How does ISO certification contribute to a safe workplace?
ISO 45001 is a certification stipulating requirements for health and safety in the workplace. This standard is not required by law, but the certification certainly brings benefits. It lets you demonstrate that you provide a safe workplace.
The focus of ISO 45001 is on avoiding behaviour within organizations that might lead to occupational accidents. If your organization meets the standard, you are reducing the risk of accidents. ISO 45001 also ensures that you are challenged to improve workplace safety continually. ISO 45001 is the international health and safety management standard, and is the successor to OHSAS 18001. You can engage DEKRA for this certification.
How do VCA and the SCL contribute to workplace safety?
Construction sites and warehouses are examples of places where monitoring safety plays a major role. That’s because there is a higher risk of industrial accidents in these workplaces than in the office. You can read about VCA and the Safety Culture Ladder below.
VCA (Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors)
VCA (‘Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers’, or the Safety Checklist for Contractors, SCC in English) is a certificate for safety on the shop floor. It is intended for companies performing high-risk activities or working in high-risk environments, with contractors being a good example. In many cases, it is a prerequisite for clients that a contractor can demonstrate that he works safely. The VCA (SCC) certificate is independent proof that your organization meets all safety requirements and the most important health regulations. There are several VCA certificates. Below are the three most important ones:
VCA*
This is suitable for subcontractors, and is a limited certification of high-risk work.
VCA**
VCA-P
SCL (Safety Culture Ladder)
It has been mandatory for construction tenders since 1 January 2022, to be certified In accordance with the Safety Culture Ladder. Clients who have signed the Governance Code of Safety in Construction (GCVB in its Dutch acronym) are required to include safety awareness in tenders and contracts. This joint agreement is called Safety in Tendering (ViA in Dutch), and is being introduced incrementally. The Safety Culture Ladder measures your company’s safety awareness. The safer you work, the higher your company moves up the ladder, which has the following steps:
1. Pathological
Safety is not on the organization’s agenda.
2. Reactive
3. Calculating
4. Proactive
5. Progressive
Tier 2 has been required since 1 January 2022. The step to Tier 3 must be made from 1 January 2025.
How do you guarantee safety in the warehouse?
A comparatively large number of accidents occur in warehouses. Workplace safety is therefore an important issue for your warehouse as well. There are several ways to increase it, including:
- Ensure that workers are visible and protected, for example by wearing safety clothing and shoes.
- Ensure that all applicable safety rules are clear, such as through signs. Consider fire safety and escape routes.
- Differentiate between walkways and driveways, and indicate this clearly. This is an easy way to avoid accidents.
These are just a few examples. Want to ensure that your organization’s safety meets all the requirements? Then consider certification, such as ISO 45001.