COMPLIANCE & RISK ASSESSMENT IS COMPLIANCE ENOUGH?
In a world where organisations are seeking to ensure sustainability, Saeed Ahmadi, of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), asks if they should go beyond compliance when it comes to preventing harm.
Put simply, compliance means adhering to rules, regulations, and legal requirements. In health and safety, it serves as a foundation for organisations, ensuring that the minimum requirements exist in workplaces to operate safely, ethically, and within the confines of the law.
But is compliance enough? Should employers be seeking to go beyond compliance, for the benefit of the both the organisation and its people?
In the UK, safety compliance is governed by stringent regulations enforced by bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 outline the overall responsibilities of employers to assess risks, implement preventive measures, and create a reasonably safe workplace.
“HEALTH AND SAFETY IS NOT JUST A REGULATORY REQUIREMENT BUT A SHARED VALUE THAT SHAPE WORKPLACE BEHAVIOURS AND DECISIONS.”
While some businesses may perceive compliance as an administrative burden, the reality is that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Beyond avoiding hefty fines, legal action, and reputational damage, adherence to safety regulations enhances an organisation’s credibility, fosters trust among stakeholders, and ultimately contributes to long-term business success.
Health and safety legal compliance assigns an overall accountability to duty holders to identify workplace- specific hazards and manage associated risks effectively.
BUILDING A TRULY SAFE AND THRIVING WORKPLACE
Is mere compliance enough to guarantee a truly safe and thriving workplace? While adhering to health and safety regulations is fundamental, organisations that take a ‘tick-the-box’ approach risk stagnation, creating a compliance-driven culture where safety is seen as a legal obligation rather than a core value.
Safety and health maturity goes beyond mere adherence to laws – it involves nurturing a proactive, people-centred culture where safety is embedded in every aspect of operations.
According to IOSH’s OSH Culture Maturity Model, the highest level of safety culture is achieved when every individual, from the boardroom to the shop floor, takes ownership of their own safety and that of others. At this stage, health and safety is not just a regulatory requirement but a shared value that shapes workplace behaviours and decisions. A mature safety culture does more than prevent accidents, it positions OSH as a
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strategic enabler, reinforcing corporate sustainability and extending its influence across the entire supply chain.
THE FUTURE OF COMPLIANCE
The future of safety and health compliance is set for a transformative shift, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological developments. These advancements drive efficiency and innovation but also introduce a series risks, such as misinformation, that require more sophisticated assessment frameworks. Organisations must adapt by implementing proactive compliance strategies that address evolving regulatory requirements and mitigate potential threats.
With the recent enactment of the EU AI Act, businesses adopting a high-risk AI enabled system must perform an AI impact assessment to ensure ethical and legal compliance. Businesses must assess how the system could impact people's fundamental rights. This includes describing how and when the system will be used, who it might affect, and what risks it might pose.
With such rapid developments, the future is uncertain. However, one thing we can be certain of us is that organisations will reap the rewards for meeting – and going beyond – their health and safety compliance requirements.
https://iosh.com
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