In a week when one firm loses its appeal against a Corporate Manslaughter conviction and another wins a top safety award, I can’t help but contemplate the fundamental differences between the two companies. 

Is it that the award-winning company is much larger and therefore has access to more resources?  Well, obviously it does help.  A business large enough to employ Health and Safety trained staff has a clear advantage over smaller businesses.  Or does it?  There are a plethora of highly trained Health and Safety Consultants who specialise in working with smaller businesses.  Some of them are even on the Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (our Health and Safety partner is). 

Perhaps it’s that different regulations apply to the award-winning company.  The laws regulating Health and Safety in their industry aren’t as strict.  Perhaps that’s it.  Well, the company who won the award are in the construction industry, one of the most heavily regulated industries when it comes to Health and Safety.  So, that’s not it. 

I believe that the key differences between these businesses relate to education and attitude.  One business has taken the attitude that Health and Safety is everyone’s responsibility.  The problem with that attitude is that it ends up being no one’s responsibility. 

The award-winning company have taken the trouble to educate themselves which has given them the right attitude towards looking after their staff.  That attitude comes from the top.  Management prioritise the health and safety of their workforce and take action to make the right things happen.