“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin

In the first of our Dispelling the Myth series, we explored the myth of time and how ESSA Health & Safety accreditation needn’t be as much of a time commitment as one may initially think.

Investment of time is one aspect, yet the perceived financial investment associated with accreditation prevents many businesses in the events industry from undertaking the process.

At a time when budgets are ever tighter, and businesses want to ensure a return on investment, investing in health and safety may seem like an expense, when in fact it's a long-term investment that yields substantial cost-saving returns, such as:

• Encouraging safer working behaviour helps to reduce accidents. In the UK, the average number of sick days is 4.4, costing businesses £463.76. When accidents occur, this number only rises.
• Reducing accidents reduces the need to cover any hefty medical, legal or compensation expenses, with the average health and safety fine for businesses costing an average of £150,000.
• Safer working also means fewer operational disruptions, thereby positively impacting a company's bottom line.

We at ESSA understand the importance of this investment, which is why our Health & Safety Accreditation is FREE for full ESSA members. Health and safety are of paramount importance when it comes to working in the events industry, which is why we ensure accreditation is a vital component of your membership alongside the many other benefits membership provides.

ESSA members are also provided FREE access to our wide range of Health and Safety training courses to further help you on your health and safety journey. And for those not yet ESSA members, we’re still here to support you with access to our free online resources as well as information about becoming a member.

And whilst we’re here to dispel myths around cost, our accreditation is devised in a way to make achieving it in-house as simple and painless as possible. Our detailed step-by-step guides, complete with templates, examples and guidance, provide you with all you need to successfully become accredited – all without the need to spend additional funds on unnecessary external consultancy.

In summary:

1. ESSA H&S Accreditation is free for full ESSA members.
2. Accreditation is simple to complete – no need to pay for consultancy.
3. Being ESSA H&S Accredited means safer working, helping you to avoid any unforeseen expenses such as medical and legal fees or compensation payouts.
4. Accreditation is an investment in your business’s safety – an investment that yields substantial returns by positioning your business as a preferred supplier and leader in health and safety.

For more information about ESSA Health & Safety Accreditation, view our accreditation page, or have a read of our most frequently asked questions.