Reasons for accident prevention, as quoted by experts, are humanitarian, economic and legal. Thus, organizations have to invest sensibly for implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) in their organizations.
Further, it is stated that the reputation is also one of the factors for ensuring safety in the organization.
The reasons listed above, for investment in OHS are correct. However, I am not sure how many will see the reputation of the company with regards to OHS aspects, while buying its products.
Job aspirants and organizations engaging the services of organizations may take a step back and think before joining or using the services as they do not want to harm themselves or see delay of their projects. But, for this OHS data should be available before taking the decision.
I am doubtful about reputation aspect while buying a product as it does not make economic sense for anybody to pay more to products of another company because of poor reputation (on OHS management).
To drive home the message about OHS issues, may be, it should be made mandatory to display the safety statistics (readable font size and color) on their product labels. For example, 100 g of xxx biscuit packet contains 2 g calcium, 1 g iron, .......; and 2 persons injured in accidents during the making of this biscuit batch during the period ----. It is like blood stain on the product, made to be visible in the form of data display.
A rating system also may be thought off by governments or independent rating agencies that can be displayed and seen easily to enable quick decision by conscious public.
Nobody likes to display such information and thus may be more interested to ensure health and safety. And, once it is mandatory to display safety data or rating on the product labels, definitely, it will make manufacturers to be more sensitive (atleast to sell their products) to OHS issues.