Health and safety are two of the most important aspects of the workplace today, but this was not always the case. Back then, little attention was paid to working conditions.
Over the years, the concept has evolved significantly, so nowadays, it is no longer surprising to hear about things like workplace health and safety software and the like. Similarly, the government has enforced occupational health and safety legislation to protect employees working in high-risk areas.
Get to know more about when workplace health and safety began and how it has evolved through the years. At Sofvie, we stand for the health, wellness, and safety of everyone in your organization, and we do this by leveraging the power of technology.
The Emergence of Workplace Health and Safety
The idea of improving working conditions first emerged in the early 19th century–around the time of the Industrial Revolution.
The beginning of workplace health and safety in Canada can be traced back to 1884 when the Factory Act was enforced. This was the first occupational health and safety (OH&S) act introduced by Ontario to improve working conditions with provisions like a suggested work hour restriction and the prohibition on work activities for children.
However, it was only in 1964 when the idea of workplace safety truly emerged. The Industrial Safety Act was passed to provide employers with precautionary measures needed to keep their workers safe. The advancements continued, followed by improvements in legislation through the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1978, the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 1998, the Working alone regulations of 2004, and many others.
Today, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) serves as the government arm that protects employees and promotes workplace safety.
Workplace Health and Safety Today
We now believe that human life is more important than productivity. As seen in the evolution of workplace health and safety, the conditions today are much better than they used to be, but there is still much work to be done.
Thanks to technology, it is now possible to use Health and Safety software for increased transparency, shared knowledge, and advanced safety processes. You can now use different tools to automate processes like risk management, hazard management, and work management to reduce the likelihood of error.
Health and safety are no longer options but necessities in today’s advanced workplace. Take charge of your team’s well-being by investing in the right tools to minimize inefficiencies and prevent unwanted accidents. With Sofvie’s EHS management software, you can improve your safety and risk management culture to put your people at the center of what you do.
After all, with healthy people in your team, you can be more proactive and accomplish more in your organization.
