Frequently Asked Questions

Occupational health is important because it helps to ensure the safety and well-being of employees in the workplace, which ultimately leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Common occupational health hazards include exposure to chemical or biological agents, physical hazards such as noise or vibration, absenteeism, fitness for work and ergonomic hazards such as repetitive motion injuries.

Direct Costs (easier to calculate)

• Wages paid to the injured worker while not working
   
• Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
   
• Workers’ compensation insurance claims
   
• Legal and compliance costs (if disputed or escalated)
   

Indirect Costs (often underestimated)

• Overtime or additional wages for replacement staff
   
• Recruitment, induction, and training of new or temporary workers
   
• Lost productivity from a less experienced or underqualified replacement
   
• Supervisor/manager time spent on investigations, paperwork, and coordination
   
• Increased insurance premiums
   

Hidden Costs (long-term impact)

• Disruption to team dynamics and morale
   
• Reduced trust in management or safety systems
   
• Project delays or contract penalties due to reduced capacity
   
• Reputational damage with clients, regulators, and stakeholders
   
• Higher turnover if workers perceive the workplace as unsafe
   

Why it matters for employers:
Investing in injury prevention, return-to-work coordination, and fitness-for-work programs is far cheaper than absorbing the potential costs of LTIs.

providing an objective, unbiased evaluation that helps identify gaps, inefficiencies, or non-compliance that internal teams may overlook due to familiarity or internal pressures. External auditors bring specialized expertise, industry benchmarks, and fresh perspectives that can improve operational integrity, ensure adherence to legal and safety standards, and enhance overall system performance. Their findings can validate current practices, support continuous improvement, and strengthen stakeholder confidence by demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accountability, and best practice.