Workplace safety depends on staff training, not rules — Expert
Human Resources (HR) and Occupational Health and Safety Expert, Naa Amerley Croffie, has stressed that workplace safety depends as much on proper staff training as on the existence of rules and policies.
Workplace safety is a critical aspect of organisational management, aimed at protecting employees, customers and property from harm.
In Ghana, the Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328) and the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) mandate employers to provide safe working conditions and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, she noted that some businesses have well-crafted safety policies but fail to invest in training, assuming that employees will use common sense to follow instructions.
“You can put up safety signs and arrange furniture in a certain way, but if you haven’t explained to staff why these measures matter, they may ignore them or undo them without realising the risks,” Ms. Croffie said.
She cited the aviation industry as an example, where baggage weight limits were reduced from 32kg to 25kg after workers suffered frequent back injuries.
Ms. Croffie explained that this change significantly cut rehabilitation costs and helped maintain productivity.
The occupational hazard expert warned that bypassing safety rules often causes harm to others and can lead to serious health, financial and operational consequences for organisations.
“The key is to make people understand what’s in it for them, why they must keep the workplace safe, why certain items should not be placed in specific areas, or why devices need to be switched off when leaving a room. Without understanding the ‘why’, compliance is always a challenge,” she emphasised. Ms Croffie urged businesses to combine clear policies with continuous training and safety awareness programmes to protect both staff and productivity.
