Societal Factors Influencing Standards and Priorities

Summary

1. Economic Climate;

2. Government Policy and Initiatives;

3. Industry/Business Risk Profile;

4. Globalization of Business;

5. Migrant Workers;

6. Level of Sickness Absence;

7. Societal Expectations of Equality;

1. Economic Climate

The wealthiest countries of the world, where individuals have access to the basic necessities for life, such as food, clean water, and shelter, have the funding to create and enforce good Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards. In countries where individuals do not have these resources, it is inevitable that OHS is given a relatively lower priority.

2. Government Policy and Initiatives

The government has a major influence on O.H.S policy through its ability to create legislation. In 2008, the UK government published a document entitled Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, which made the following points:

• Life expectancy in the UK is higher than ever, yet millions of working days are lost to work-related illness.

• Evidence suggests that the working population is healthier than those who do not work. Families without a working member are likely to suffer persistent low income and poverty.

• Improving the health of the working age population is critically important for everyone to secure higher economic growth and its associated benefits.

3. Industry/Business Risk Profile

Not surprisingly, higher-risk work activities require higher standards of control than those that create lower risks. For example, nuclear power stations each operate under a site license and demand very rigorous OHS standards.

4. Globalization of Business

Many businesses of all sizes operate both nationally and internationally, yet the standards demanded in the UK may be very different to those required by the overseas environment. Resolving differences in culture and communication may create different expectations and standards.

5. Migrant Workers

As a result of more flexible immigration policies, the proportion of migrant workers in workforces is generally increasing and cultural and communication issues may influence OHS standards.

6. Level of Sickness Absence

In the UK, sickness absence has gradually reduced, but is still substantial, with around 150 million days lost to sickness absence each year. Employment and Support Allowances (which are replacing incapacity benefits) are paid to those who are unable to work because of ill health or disability.

7. Societal Expectations of Equality

Health and safety standards and priorities can be determined by changes in societies’ expectations of equality.
Equality Act 2010 aims to protect disabled people and prevent disability discrimination. The Equality Act provides legal rights for disabled people in the area of employment, requiring employers to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to accommodate workers with disabilities. Consequently, acceptable access and egress to a workplace may need to include the provision of ramps and lifts in order to comply with these expectations of equality and the legal obligations associated with them.