The Impact Of Neglecting Health And Safety In Facilities Management

Facilities management plays a critical role in ensuring workplace health and safety. Neglecting proper safety measures can have severe consequences for employees and organisations. 

Poor health and safety practices in facilities management can impact many areas. Some of the top reasons for not neglecting health and safety include:

• Lack of adherence to fire safety codes can lead to legal repercussions and damage the organisation’s reputation.
• Neglecting proper asbestos management protocols can lead to exposure to the toxic substance and cause severe lung diseases, including cancer. 
• Legal liability and costly removal expenses are other potential consequences of inadequate asbestos management.
• Poorly maintained water systems can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, which can cause severe respiratory illness and even death. 
• Neglecting electrical safety protocols can lead to serious and potentially fatal accidents, including electrocution and electrical fires.
• As COVID-19 protocols become less stringent, facilities managers must continue to prioritise employee health and safety by maintaining measures such as social distancing, screening, and sanitation to prevent outbreaks.

Facilities managers must prioritise proper safety protocols, train employees, and comply with legal requirements to ensure a secure working environment. Health and safety guidelines prevent employee injuries and illnesses. It’s their job to protect the organisation’s reputation and avoid legal and financial penalties.

Let’s look at the consequences of neglecting health and safety in this field.

Overview Of Health And Safety In Facilities Management

Maintaining health and safety in facilities management involves prioritising the well-being and protection of employees and visitors. The focus is on identifying risks, implementing safety protocols, and complying with regulations. Key factors include:

• Identifying and mitigating potential risks
• Implementing safety protocols to ensure physical and mental well-being
• Complying with relevant regulations
• Creating a safe working environment for employees and visitors.

Several regulations and practices are commonly followed in the facilities and management industry to ensure health and safety. These include:

• Fire safety: Conducting inspections and taking measures to reduce fire risks.
• Electrical safety: Regular assessments to ensure the safety of electrical systems and devices.
• Asbestos management: Monitoring and taking necessary steps to prevent exposure.
• Water safety: Inspecting water systems to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Working at height: Assessing risks associated with tasks performed on elevated areas.
• Hazardous substances management: Conducting risk assessments for potentially harmful substances.

Complying with these standards allows facilities managers to create a safer environment for everyone.

Related reading: 7 Common Health And Safety Risks

Case Studies and Statistics of Neglect 

Health and safety breaches in the workplace can have serious consequences, as evidenced by some of the hefty fines handed out in the UK in 2023. Let’s take a closer look at these fines and five specific incidents that led to such substantial penalties.

1. Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd: Fined £4.415m + £80.7k costs (2023)

• The company was fined for incidents where workers struck overhead power lines on the M6 motorway, resulting in the cables falling onto passing vehicles.
• Poor planning, failure to inform network providers, and lack of task-specific risk assessments contributed to the accidents.

2. Valencia Waste Management Limited: Fined £3 million + £21k costs

• The company was fined for two separate incidents resulting in the deaths of workers.
• Inadequate risk assessments, incompatible skips, and lack of maintenance and size labels on skips were among the safety violations.

3. Exolum Pipeline System Ltd: Fined £2.3 million + £157k costs

• The pipeline transportation company exposed employees to the risk of serious injury and death during excavation work.
• Failure to identify and control risks associated with pipeline repairs resulted in the potential release of flammable petroleum.

4. Tarmac Aggregates Limited: Fined £1.2 million + £200k costs

• The company was fined following the death of a worker who became trapped between a conveyor and a feed hopper during maintenance work.
• Failure to isolate the feed hopper, inoperative testing equipment, and the absence of necessary alarms were contributing factors.

5. Network Rail: Fined £1.2 million + £11.4k costs

• Network Rail was fined in connection with the death of an employee who was fatally crushed while performing maintenance work at a rail depot.
• The lack of a safe work system and an inadequate risk assessment were identified as contributing factors.

Direct Consequences Of Neglect: Immediate And Long-Term Impacts

Neglecting health and safety in facilities management can have severe, immediate, and long-term consequences. These must be addressed for a brand’s reputation to stay strong and trusted by employees and customers alike. 

The costs can be high if allowed to impact productivity and operational efficiency.

Injuries And Fatalities

Failure to comply with safety regulations can result in accidents and hazardous conditions, leading to injuries or, in extreme cases, fatalities. Falls, electrical accidents, and exposure to harmful substances are among the risks employees face.

Neglecting safety precautions can lead to the following:

• Injuries due to accidents and hazardous conditions
• Potential long-term health effects from exposure to harmful substances
• Fatalities caused by accidents or incidents that could have been prevented with proper precautions.

Damage To Property

Non-compliance with safety measures can lead to fires or explosions, causing physical damage to buildings, equipment, and assets. The resulting financial loss can be significant, including repairs or replacements, disruption of operations and potential loss of business.

Failure to comply with regulations can result in:

• Loss of property or assets due to accidents or incidents caused by negligence
• Financial loss from repairs or replacements of damaged property
• Disruption of operations and potential loss of business.

Psychological Effects

Proper health and safety processes help to avert the effects on the psychological well-being of employees and management.

When safety is compromised, individuals may experience:

• Fear and anxiety: Employees may feel apprehensive about potential accidents or incidents, compromising their sense of safety in the workplace.
• Decreased morale: Safety measures, if ignored or not followed with professionalism, can lead to decreased morale and job satisfaction among employees. This leads to a drop in overall productivity, high turnover rates and, at the least, lower engagement. It will create lasting uncertainty and distrust among employees. When employees witness safety violations, it erodes their confidence in leadership and the organisation’s commitment to their well-being.
• Loss of trust: Employees may lose trust in the organisation’s commitment to their well-being, which can have long-term consequences for employee engagement and retention.
• Increased stress levels: Neglecting health and safety requirements can contribute to elevated stress levels among employees, impacting their mental health.

Reputational Damage

News can spread quickly when health & safety is not a key concern for companies. In the age of social media, stakeholders take notice of companies that fail to prioritise the well-being of their employees. The negative perception can deter potential clients, investors, and top talent.

Legal And Financial Liabilities

Neglecting health and safety exposes organisations to potential legal and financial liabilities. Failing to comply with health and safety regulations can result in hefty fines, legal penalties, and even criminal charges. The costs associated with litigation, compensation claims, and insurance premiums can place a significant financial burden on the organisation. This will potentially jeopardise its long-term financial stability.

Related reading: What Are Safe Working Practices?

The Cost Of Compliance Vs. The Cost Of Neglect 

A facility manager’s failure to prioritise health and safety can have significant immediate impacts and also pose a long-term risk to an organisation’s reputation, credibility, and financial standing.

Maintaining proper health and safety standards in facilities management requires a significant investment. The cost of compliance pales in comparison to the potential consequences of neglecting health and safety regulations. 

Let’s compare the two to gain a better understanding.

The Cost Of Compliance

Investing in health and safety measures includes various expenses, such as:

• Training programs 
• Safety equipment
• Regular inspections
• Maintenance.

While these costs may seem burdensome, they are a small price to pay to ensure the well-being of employees and avoid potential penalties.

The Cost Of Neglect

The average fine hitting companies that fail to follow health and safety regulations is around £150,000, leading to much higher fines in the millions of pounds for high turnover companies. Neglecting health and safety can lead to severe repercussions, resulting in far greater financial implications. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal fees imposed by regulatory bodies, damaging the organisation’s financial stability.

Accidents or incidents in the workplace can lead to civil lawsuits, compensation claims, and even loss of business due to reputational damage.

Organisations can avoid the long-lasting financial consequences associated with the costs of non-compliance in health and safety in facilities management. Compliance costs are undoubtedly a wise investment compared to the potentially devastating repercussions of non-compliance.

Building A Culture Of Safety

Cultivating a culture of safety protects employees from harm and has significant positive impacts on the business as a whole. Safety culture refers to the mindset of the company and its people and how their values and beliefs influence the implementation and usage of health and safety procedures. 

It goes beyond mere compliance with policies and regulations, reflecting an organisation’s genuine commitment to prioritising the well-being of its employees.

Here are some insights on how to achieve this:

• Leadership Commitment: It is crucial for top-level management to actively demonstrate their commitment to safety. By leading by example, they set the tone for the entire organisation and show employees that safety is a shared responsibility.
• Clear Policies And Procedures: Establishing clear and easily understandable policies and procedures ensures everyone knows what is expected of them. This includes guidelines on hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety protocols.
• Ongoing Training And Education: Regular training sessions and educational programs keep employees up-to-date on best practices and safety regulations. By investing in their knowledge and skill development, the company empowers employees to take ownership of their safety and that of their colleagues.
• Open Communication: Encouraging open lines of communication regarding safety concerns allows employees to actively engage in maintaining a safe working environment. Organisations should provide channels for reporting incidents, near misses, and suggestions for improvement.
• Continuous Improvement: Safety should be a continual focus for facilities management. Regularly reviewing and enhancing safety processes and procedures based on feedback and industry best practices demonstrates a commitment to ongoing improvement.

Key Points On Health And Safety In Facilities Management

Let’s summarise the key points and reinforce the importance of health and safety in facilities management.

• Health and safety breaches can result in substantial fines, posing significant financial consequences for companies. Failure to comply with regulations, inadequate risk assessments, poor planning, and neglect of equipment maintenance were common factors in these incidents.
• These high fines highlight the importance of prioritising health and safety in the workplace to prevent accidents and protect employees.
• Adhering to health and safety regulations is not only an ethical responsibility; it’s also a legal requirement.
• Organisations must stay updated on these regulations to avoid hefty fines, legal penalties, and damage to their reputation.
• Sound health and safety practices include emergency preparedness, ensuring that employees are trained to respond effectively in crisis situations.
• Well-prepared industries can minimise the impact of emergencies, protecting lives and assets.
• A strong health and safety culture forms the foundation for efficient and effective facilities management.

If you’re a facilities manager, always prioritise health and safety practices in the workplace. You can get expert help from Veriforce CHAS. To start, look at the different CHAS membership packages available online or call our award-winning team on 0345 521 9111.