It is essential for a management system to be both effective and efficient. Efficiency without effectiveness would result in a system lacking purpose, while effectiveness without efficiency would lead to disregarding profitability. When combined, effectiveness and efficiency create a performance-oriented management system—this applies equally to workplace safety management.
If a company invests resources in safety management, it expects to gain benefits from the preventive measures that help mitigate potential losses. When safety is perceived as a cost outweighing its return on investment, the management may lack the motivation to support and lead a management system focused on worker health and safety. A system that wastes resources and provides little value is unlikely to receive long-term support from the leadership team. Therefore, companies must ensure that their safety management system delivers a strong return on investment.
Unfortunately, many safety management systems continue to operate ineffectively or inefficiently for various reasons. In some cases, management may still choose to sustain an inefficient system and approve high operational costs simply to demonstrate their commitment to safety to stakeholders. However, over time, this approach can lead to a loss of confidence in the system. The real challenge in workplace safety is not just making processes safer but doing so while minimizing resource consumption. Of course, cost reduction must be approached carefully to maintain the effectiveness of safety measures while striving to improve efficiency.
The most efficient and effective way to manage workplace safety is to instill a strong safety culture within the organization. Operationally, efficiency is measured by the amount of output (benefits) gained from input (cost). By minimizing input costs, efficiency increases. This can be achieved by applying the Pareto principle—focusing on the key actions that yield the highest safety benefits—leveraging technology to reduce manual efforts, simplifying bureaucracy, eliminating unnecessary controls, reducing the frequency of safety checks, and fostering employee expertise. With strategic efforts, it is possible to enhance workplace safety while optimizing material costs, human effort, and time requirements.
Communicating hazards to workers and keeping them regularly updated is a cost-effective and simple way to prevent risks. Utilizing downtime for targeted, quick safety training sessions is another effective measure. Safety awareness can also be enhanced through posters in common areas or videos displayed on strategically placed screens within the organization. Encouraging employees to form safety improvement teams to suggest ideas and enhancements can further strengthen the safety culture.
Finally, for every workplace safety issue, a solution likely already exists—it's just a matter of finding it. Many valuable resources are available for free online, from regulatory authorities, and through industry groups. Benchmarking against best practices from leading companies is also an excellent way to learn how to optimize safety management. If you have implemented an ISO 45001-based management system and want to get it certified, contact us at +39 02 58320936 or email us at