Your investment in work environment and safety pays off
The cost of workplace accidents and diseases
Work accidents and diseases can cause significant financial costs for companies. Additionally, they have a negative impact on the well-being of employees.
In the following, we delve into the cost of work accidents and diseases and detail how implementing preventative measures like Hovmand lifters can help.
Being sick is expensive – for everyone
Work accidents and diseases impose a substantial economic burden on societies.
In Europe, the cost of work injuries and diseases ranges from 2.9% to 10.2% of the GDP (1).
Additionally, the average number of sick days in Germany increased from 11,5 in 2021 to 15 in the year 2022 (2), representing a significant increase.
In France, the state’s expenditure for sick leave absences increased by 7.4% in 2022 and has risen by an average of 6.6% per year since Covid (3), representing a significant increase.
Furthermore, the number of accidents in Denmark from 2022 are the highest ever recorded (4).
Overall, the prevention of work accidents and injuries is increasingly relevant for each of these countries for different reasons.
The categories of accident costs that companies face include the
absence of the injured employee, communication, administration,
prevention initiatives, operation disturbance, and others (5).
These costs hinder business productivity and profitability,
limit resources for growth, and increase the financial burden
on the company.
Did you know ...
On average, occupational accidents and work-related illnesses in European companies cost €3077 per employee (1).
How can we help you?
Preventative measures, such as the use of Hovmand lifters, can significantly decrease the number of accidents in the workplace.
The Hovmand lifter is an aid that minimises the risk of musculoskeletal injuries caused by manual handling. It uses a hydraulic lifting mechanism that makes it possible for a wide variety of employees to lift and transport heavy loads (from 3 to 300 kg) without straining the user's back, neck or shoulder.
Hovmand lifters have proven to be a valuable addition to workplaces that require heavy lifting, such as manufacturing plants, warehouses, and hospitals. These lifts lighten the load for employees and provide a safer working environment, reducing the risk of injuries caused by manual handling.
We haven't had an accident at work since introducing the Hovmand lifter,
and there are no more complaints about back pain from heavy lifting 
Thomas Kürzdörfer from the German company Michelfelder Werkstätten
Why not just go for it?
Since implementing preventative measures can be faced with internal and external barriers, making these changes can be difficult (6).
External barriers can be the stringent legal requirements or bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the government, lack of guidelines or uncooperative behaviour from regulatory bodies, and insufficient technical support from consultants.
Internal barriers can arise from management, staff, the organisation, or technology. For example, a lack of management knowledge and skills in OHS themes can lead to underestimating the advantages of implementing preventative measures. Inadequate funding for OHS initiatives can limit the ability to implement preventative measures effectively. A lack of technical resources, such as machinery and equipment, can also be a barrier to the proper implementation of OHS interventions.
These barriers must first be overcome for the preventative measures to be implemented as successfully as possible.
Conclusion: Avoiding the risk of injury
Work accidents and diseases are a significant problem affecting employees and organisations' financial stability. Preventative measures, like the Hovmand Lifter, can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and bring about a safer workplace.
However, the implementation of these measures faces several barriers, both internal and external. By addressing these barriers and investing in preventative measures, companies can foster a culture of safety that benefits employees and organisations.
A safer workplace is a more productive workplace, and implementing preventative measures can ultimately lead to a more competitive, prosperous organisation.
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The main reason many companies hesitate to invest in health and safety at work is the cost. Nevertheless, an approved study now shows that you get your money back when you invest in safety and health.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) measures have a wide range of positive effects on both the physical and mental health of workers, ultimately improving their overall quality of life and reducing the risk of work-related disabilities.
This is made clear by the three examples we have selected in this article. Read along – maybe you can relate to the issues or solutions in the stories.
Find more information about the research here:
(1): Tompa et al. 2021 "Economic burden of work injuries and diseases: a framework and application in five European Union countries" https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10050-7
(2): DGUV Work accident statistic for 2022: https://publikationen.dguv.de/zahlen-fakten/ueberblick/4767/dguv-statistiken-fuer-die-praxis-2022
(3): https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/Health/Doctors-under-fire-over-number-of-sick-days- they-grant-French-workers
(4): Danish Labour Inspectorate: https://at.dk/media/3qmibqzh/arbejdsulykker-aarsopgoerelse-2022.pdf
(5): Tappura et al. 2015 "A management accounting perspective on safety" http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.01.011
(6): Masi, Cagno 2015 "Barriers to OHS interventions in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises" https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2014.05.020