Are Nordic workplaces as safe as they are happy?
EcoOnline’s Safety Survey Reveals mixed Results
While 80% Nordic employees report feeling safe at work, the lack of training in chemical safety, digital solutions and regional consistency highlights the need for more effective health and safety policies.
According to new research by the Future Insights Team of EcoOnline, the leading SaaS provider for safety and sustainability solutions in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, living in the most happy countries does not always translate into working in the safest locations. According to the “How Safe and Sustainable Is Your Office?” survey, which was based on insights provided by 3,600+ employees in Sweden, Norway Finland and Denmark, half of all workers were directly or indirectly affected by workplace injuries or illnesses. The findings indicate that workplace safety can still be improved, despite having some of world’s most comprehensive regulations for worker protection.
Nordic countries are consistently ranked at the top of global well-being indices. This sense of security can be seen in workplaces as 80% of employees feel safe. 80% of employees feel safe at work, but 20% do not. Norway is the leader in the region, with 83% of employers engaging in safety initiatives and 83% of safety perception. This shows a strong safety cultural. Nevertheless, regional differences in safety practices are significant, especially when it comes to chemical safety training. In Denmark, only 60% of workers are trained in chemical safety. Businesses must invest in safety and knowledge gaps to create a consistent safety standard where all workers feel secure.
Safety investments and employee well-being
The survey shows that Nordic employees place a high value on workplace safety and the following areas are rated as their top three:
1. Increased safety training opportunities (36%)
2. Increased funding (32%) for safety initiatives
3. Increased time spent on workplace safety (31%)
Employees think that increased investments in safety could lead to significant improvements at work, such as happier employees (47%), less sick days (33%), or better communication between departments (26%)
Growing demand for Digital Solutions
In the survey, employees are increasingly demanding mobile and digital tools for their incident reporting. Only 61% of employees have access to digital chemical management systems. In Finland, this figure is only 53%.
In Sweden, the survey has been running for three years. Mobile reporting preferences are up from 17% in 2023, to 24% by 2025. By meeting employee preferences for digital and mobile solutions, safety reporting can be enhanced and workplace culture strengthened.
Workplace safety and happiness
Tom Goodmanson is the CEO of EcoOnline. “Nordic nations consistently rank as among the happiest countries in the world. This reflects both the quality of life outside and inside the workplace.” To maintain that well-being, workplaces must be not only productive but also supportive and safe. Safety is not just about regulatory compliance. With 83% of employees willing to leave a job due to poor working conditions and 85% considering it in their career choices, it’s important to attract and retain top talent.
View the complete infographic for a more detailed look at the results of the survey, including insights from specific countries and trends in safety and sustainability.
The original version of this article, Are Nordic workplaces as safe as they are happy? appeared first on Human Resources News.
