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Mark Sennett
Managing Editor |
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Kelly Rose
Editor |
ARTICLE
UK Public wants dangerous bosses and companies 'named and shamed'
03 September 2014
The British public wants to see a "scores on the doors" type system reflecting a company's health and safety record, according to health and safety law consultants, Protecting.co.uk.
According to figures obtained by the company, customers want to know about workplace accidents, official investigations – and most importantly – the safety of the premises they are entering.
The move would "name and shame" irresponsible bosses and help drive up safety across British businesses, says Protecting.co.uk.
"'Scores on the doors' for food safety has been a huge success across the country," says Protecting.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall, "And we see no reason why it shouldn't be extended to other issues that concern the public.
"There are already calls for companies' green credentials to go on public display, and we're keen to see the scheme extended to public and employee safety."
Protecting.co.uk says that such a scheme could be implanted for businesses where the public are regular visitors to premises, but could later be extended to all companies.
A phone poll carried out on behalf of Protecting.co.uk found:
- 76% in favour of the results of health and safety inspections being made public through a "scores on the doors" style system
- 58% in favour of numbers of resolved accident claims and Health and Safety Executive investigations being made public
- 46% said they'd think twice about trading with a company with a low score
- 31% said they'd think twice about applying for a job with a company that scored badly
Protecting.co.uk says the scheme would not only give information to both potential customers, it would also motivate companies into improving their safety performance now it was a matter of public record.
"It would also give potential employees an insight into a company," said Hall, "Who would want to work for a boss who has a poor attitude to safety and the rights of their staff?"
Hall is aware that there are potential costs involved in setting up such a scheme, but thinks that this should be regarded as an investment rather than an expense.
"Industrial and workplace accidents cost the British economy millions of pounds every years, "says Mark Hall, "There are legal bills, and expenses on insurance and compensation. Not to mention profits hit by loss of production."
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