🌍 Safer Supply Chains: Why Health & Safety Must Be Built Into Every Link 🔗
- Steven Harrison CMgr MCMI
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
In today’s fast-paced global economy, supply chains have become more complex, more far-reaching — and more critical than ever before. Businesses are under constant pressure to deliver faster, cheaper, and more efficiently. But in the race for optimisation, one thing can’t be sacrificed: health and safety.
At SJH Safety Solutions, we’ve seen first-hand how easily health and safety can become an afterthought — especially in multi-tiered supply chains. And we’ve also seen the consequences: worker injuries, reputational damage, and even supply chain collapse.
So let’s dig deeper into why a safe supply chain is a resilient supply chain, and how to ensure that health and safety isn’t just bolted on, but built in from the very beginning.
Why Safety in the Supply Chain Matters More Than Ever
A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When one supplier cuts corners, the entire network is exposed to risk.
Here’s why supply chain safety should be front and centre in every business strategy:
1. Global operations = global risks
When your supply chain spans across countries — and in many cases, continents — you’re dealing with vastly different regulations, cultural approaches to safety, and working conditions. What’s considered safe in one region may be substandard in another.
2. Increased scrutiny from regulators & the public
Stakeholders — from customers to shareholders — are becoming more concerned with ethical sourcing, worker welfare, and corporate responsibility. Health and safety lapses are not just legal risks; they’re PR nightmares waiting to happen.
3. Disruption is expensive
Accidents, poor safety practices, and non-compliance can lead to delivery delays, damaged goods, injured staff, and complete breakdowns in operations. These aren’t just safety issues — they’re commercial risks with real financial consequences.
Common Health & Safety Risks in the Supply Chain
Every stage of the supply chain presents unique risks. Here are just a few examples:
🚛 Transport & logistics
Unsafe loading/unloading
Poor manual handling techniques
Fatigue and driver wellbeing
Lack of proper PPE in distribution centres
🏭 Manufacturing & production
Unsafe machinery or untrained operators
Exposure to hazardous materials
Fire risks due to poor maintenance or storage
🌍 Offshore suppliers
Inconsistent or poor enforcement of local safety laws
Limited visibility on safety practices
Child labour or exploitative working conditions in extreme cases
📉 Compliance & reporting gaps
No centralised oversight or real-time reporting
Inaccurate or falsified data from third-party suppliers
Poor contractor management
The Business Case for Building Safety into Your Supply Chain
Still not convinced? Let’s talk numbers.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), over 36.8 million working days were lost in the UK alone due to work-related ill health and non-fatal injuries in 2022/23. Now multiply that across your entire global supply network, and you begin to see the scale of the problem.
By prioritising health and safety, companies benefit from:
Fewer disruptions and delays
Lower insurance and compensation costs
Stronger supplier relationships
Increased stakeholder confidence
Greater alignment with ESG and CSR goals
In short: safer supply chains = better business.
4 Ways to Strengthen Health & Safety Across Your Supply Chain
So how do you ensure your supply chain is not just efficient, but also safe and sustainable?
Here are four practical steps we recommend at SJH Safety Solutions:
1. 🔍 Vet suppliers for H&S compliance
Don’t assume every supplier meets your standards. Carry out pre-contract audits, request H&S documentation, and conduct on-site visits where possible. Ask questions like:
Do they follow recognised safety standards (e.g. ISO 45001)?
What training do workers receive?
How do they report and investigate incidents?
2. 📑 Include safety in contracts and KPIs
Make health and safety a non-negotiable part of your supplier agreements. Set clear expectations and performance indicators:
Minimum safety certifications
Incident reporting frequency
Penalties for non-compliance
Ongoing audit requirements
3. 📦 Ensure proper handling and storage standards
Many supply chain injuries stem from poorly managed materials. Whether it’s warehouse storage or shipping containers, ensure:
Equipment is fit for purpose
Dangerous goods are correctly labelled and stored
Staff are trained in safe handling techniques
4. 🧠 Train and empower teams across the whole chain
Safety culture starts with knowledge. Offer training not just to your internal team but also to contractors and suppliers where possible. Empower teams to speak up, report hazards, and prioritise safe behaviour.
Final Thoughts: Raising the Bar, Together
The most successful businesses of the future won’t just be fast — they’ll be safe, ethical, and resilient. That means treating supply chain safety as more than just a tick-box exercise. It’s a strategic advantage and a moral imperative.
At SJH Safety Solutions, we’re passionate about helping businesses embed health and safety into every corner of their supply chain — from procurement to delivery and everything in between.
Whether you're managing a local operation or a global network, now’s the time to ask:
Are your supply chains as safe as they are strong?
If you’re not sure, let’s talk.
Get in touch with our team at SJH Safety Solutions — we’ll help you build a smarter, safer supply chain that supports your business and protects your people.
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