2016_Halma_ARA_160610_2

INCREASING HEALTH AND
SAFETY REGULATION
A large majority of work accidents are
preventable and employers throughout the
world must comply with increasingly strict
government laws and regulations to protect
their workers, the environment and their
assets from workplace hazards.
A growing number of countries are now
focusing on occupational safety and health,
and on preventing accidents and workrelated
illness. There is a global trend for
governments, employers and workers
to recognise the significant economic
and personal impact of work accidents
and ill health.
In parallel with increasing national regulation,
particularly in developing economies, many
multinational employers based in the
developed world are extending their health
and safety practices across their global
operations. Employers increasingly recognise
that work-related accidents and diseases can
damage productivity, competitiveness and
a business’ reputation. These factors drive
demand for our Process Safety and
Infrastructure Safety products.
Globally, an estimated 2.3 million workers
die each year from accidents at work and
work-related diseases. That is over 6,000
fatalities per day, or one person every 15
seconds. A further 317 million workers
suffer non-fatal work accidents every year.
The financial impact of poor occupational
safety and health practice is due to absences
from work and sickness, disability benefits,
compensation, interruption of production and
medical expenses. In addition to the human
cost, this is a social and economic burden
for enterprises, communities and countries.
The macro-economic impact of occupational
injuries, illness, disability and incapacity is
estimated to be 4% of global GDP. Aboveaverage
workplace casualty rates in some
countries are estimated to be costing up
to 10% of annual GDP.
Safety and health at work standards
and practices vary considerably between
countries, economic sectors and social
groups. However, they are generally rising
and becoming more closely aligned. Deaths
and injuries take a particularly heavy toll in
developing countries, where a large part
of the population may work in hazardous
conditions. However, greater investment and
advances in occupational safety are reducing
the number of fatal accidents at work.
Governments around the world are prompted
by deaths and injuries caused by accidents
to introduce new and tougher regulations
that protect people from harm in commercial
buildings and public places. The continuous
introduction of new, mandatory building codes
affecting fire protection, building security,
automated doors and elevators drives
demand for our Infrastructure Safety products.
STRATEGIC REPORT GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Global health expenditure
14
12
10
33%
trillion US$
8
6
21%
4
10% 79%
67%
2
90%
0
1995
2012 2022
■ Emerging economies
■ Developed economies
Source:
World Economic Forum
Halma plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 9