Africa Business Communities

Harriman Oyofo: Workplace Accidents and Profits – A toxic relationship

It is important for the small business owner to take workplace accidents seriously because they can have a terminal effect on the business. Prevention should be the key and all accidents should be duly reported, recorded and investigated to prevent reoccurence. Statutory provisions in this country, Nigeria, mandatorily require that accidents resulting in serious injury be reported to the authorities. But it is doubtful if this requirement meets with 100% compliance by business owners, some of whom may not fully appreciate the need for accident reporting and investigation.

As an employer, in Nigeria or anywhere else, you may find it is in your interest to put arrangements in place to manage the hazards of your business before they lead to accidents. Whether major, minor or close shave accidents in nature, the thing to note about accidents is that they all cost you money. You may therefore find that it pays to investigate and to fully document the findings of an accident so that the right lessons can be learned and put to good use, in the interest of all concerned.

Furthermore, repeat accidents affect employee morale negatively as well as downgrade projected profits, product quality, alter delivery dates on orders, damage company reputation, hike insurance premiums and breed mistrust among the leaders and the led, and clients. Absolutely nothing good can come out of workplace accidents, but letting it slide without proper investigation and reevaluation of preventive measures is actively a destructive move.

It does make some good business sense therefore for the small business owner to take accident prevention as an integral part of the business in the interest of growth and continued survival. Bear in mind that the smaller your business, the more vulnerable it can be to a major workplace upheaval. Seize every opportunity to explore ways and means of preventing accidents in your outfit if your aim is to stay in business for a long time. You cannot maintain a healthy bottom line if you have to paddle against the flood tide of repeat accidents half the operational time of your average business day. Workplace accidents, costs and profits do not mix so well.

In conclusion, remember that accidents do not just happen – they are caused!

Harriman Oyofo is CEO, Mann Associates Ltd. Nigeria. 

 

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