Is it Safety or Health and Safety H&S? The argument for H&S by Prof Theo Haupt
November 6, 2010
There is a general preference for many to use SAFETY as being all-embracing. It certainly is not. My experience and research confirms that the way we speak and the words we use are indicative of the way we think. Therefore it is important especially if we have the potential to influence our audiences that we do so carefully and with circumspect. Being domiciled in the USA where SAFETY is used ad nauseum, I have a daily campaign to correct that serious misconception both in my classes at the university and the industry with whom I interact and engage. I must thankfully acknowledge that the message is well received that we need to regard SAFETY as SAFETY and HEALTH as HEALTH. Similarly, the ENVIRONMENT and all the other aspects need to be treated as distinctive. By fudging them under one umbrella the message is diluted.
Companies do exceptionally well to be safe but very little to be healthy. SAFETY refers to that which is overt, immediate, obviously visible and easy to treat. Hence the preference and ready acceptance of the term. HEALTH, on the other hand, is not immediately visible or observable, manifests later and not easily treated given the challenge to determine which party is responsible. However, the impact on the worker, company, industry and national economy is enormous. Therefore, HEALTH is conveniently not on the agenda. For that reason, I refer to HEALTH & SAFETY. Both need to be addressed equally.
Companies do exceptionally well to be safe but very little to be healthy. SAFETY refers to that which is overt, immediate, obviously visible and easy to treat. Hence the preference and ready acceptance of the term. HEALTH, on the other hand, is not immediately visible or observable, manifests later and not easily treated given the challenge to determine which party is responsible. However, the impact on the worker, company, industry and national economy is enormous. Therefore, HEALTH is conveniently not on the agenda. For that reason, I refer to HEALTH & SAFETY. Both need to be addressed equally.
Posted by Claire Deacon. Posted In : Health and Safety
