Case studies

Examples of successful worker involvement

These case studies show how organisations have successfully involved their workforce in managing health and safety. They demonstrate that businesses with good worker involvement achieve better performance in health and safety, which in turn increases productivity and reduces costs.

• Devonport Docks: Babcock Marine

  Devonport Royal Dockyard committed to changing their health and safety culture using a number of initiatives to get the whole workforce involved in managing health and safety issues, ranging from working at height to radiation.

• Overcoming Challenges to Worker Involvement

  A truck manufacturer in the north-east wanted to capitalise on the knowledge of their workers in managing noise and vibration issues but knew they would have to rise to the challenge if they were to reap the benefits.

• BT Group plc

  BT has over 100,000 employees working in six different lines of business, spanning 170 countries. Full engagement is always a challenge, but BT sought to address health and wellbeing issues affecting their workforce by getting them involved.

• Springfield Fuels

  Springfield Fuels, a nuclear fuel fabrication facility, ensures everyone on site is involved when making decisions about their employees' health and wellbeing. Their partnership approach has resulted in joint working groups, joint accident investigations and other effective initiatives because they recognise that everyone has a part to play.

• UCATT North-West

  The Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) has a long-standing policy of partnership and co-operation between employers and employees on health and safety matters. Although the Union firmly believes in the value of health and safety committees, it warns that many organisation jump too quickly when putting together such committees without appropriate preparation.

• University of Leeds

  The University of Leeds launched a revitalisation programme in partnership with campus trade unions to bring about significant and lasting improvements to health and safety performance.

• BSkyB [PDF 101KB]

  BSkyB created a single forum for the whole business bringing together separate structures that had previously engaged with staff at their cross UK workplaces. They established an effective two-way communication channels that “plugged in” employees from all over the UK and created a partnership between management and employees.

• SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems UK [PDF 103KB]

  The company had always recognised the importance of health and safety but wanted to improve overall workplace integration ownership and understanding of good health and safety practice. Without improving worker engagement this could not have happened.

• Geocel [PDF 113KB]

  A health and safety committee was established with representation from the workforce, with a senior manager chairing the group. The representation changed annually to give everyone the opportunity to contribute.

• The National Probation Service [PDF 64KB]

  Following a health and safety audit, a Worker Involvement scheme was introduced and a National Forum was established involving union safety representatives, management representatives and safety advisors. Short life working groups were set up to deliver each objectives. They also ensure that union safety reps are provided with facility time and appropriate training.

• BAE Systems Aerostructures [PDF 24KB]

  BAE Systems management worked closely with trade union AMICUS and representatives to develop effective working relationship that allows the business to create a safe and healthy working environment for employees that reaches beyond the standards required by legislation.

Examples of worker involvement contributing to the business benefits of effective health and safety

More case studies published by the Health and Safety Commission show how worker involvement has contributed to improvements in health and safety and benefited business.

Worker Engagement initiative in construction: case studies

• Case studies demonstrating different aspects of good practice in worker engagement in health and safety in the construction industry

Working with Trade Unions

Significant reductions in workplace accidents were realised when HSE, employers' federations and trade unions developed a common approach. For example:

• Over a ten-year period in the food industry, sectors cut accidents by 25% (dairies) and 36% (bread bakeries), with four other sectors returning similar reductions.
• Major and fatal injuries in the paper industry were cut by 25% in three years following a joint initiative.

Behind all these success stories are joint initiatives between managers and trade unions which helped make major improvements in health and safety standards.