# What Health and Safety Really Means

If you suffered a moderate or serious work injury, it would not only cause you pain but could also affect your family and social life.

There are social and economic consequences of workplace injury and illness. Preventing injuries is of primary importance to the country. Reducing the incidence of serious injuries, their severity, and their cost creates a safer community to live and work in.

### Why you should keep safe at work

It's important to obtain a deeper understanding of the consequences of workplace injury and illness. By doing this, the costs of compliance can be seen against the costs and consequences of avoidable occupational injuries and illnesses. There can be horrific human consequences for minor slip-ups.

As an employee, make sure that you:

- know and follow the safety procedures in your workplace
- help identify workplace hazards
- take an active role in health and safety activities and training in your workplace.

As an employer, work injuries can cost you in terms of money, employee morale, compliance, and bad publicity. Having good health and safety systems in place means:

- reduced injury cost
- improved productivity
- better staff morale
- meeting the requirements of legislation and standards.

You can learn more from the New Zealand Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) website.

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