In today’s market, there is no shortage of businesses, consultants, and industry providers offering health, safety, and wellbeing services in exchange for financial reward. Yet a critical question remains: how do we measure the return on that investment? How can we be confident that the product or service delivered truly reflects its cost and purpose?
Take audits as an example. What constitutes value for money in an audit? Is it achieving a positive outcome—a pass or high grade—or receiving an honest, thorough evaluation that highlights strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement? Most would agree the latter defines true value, but how can we be sure that’s what we’ve received?
I’ve seen audits awarded glowing scores in the 90s after only two hours of review, with minimal examination of the safety management system (SMS). In such cases, auditors overlooked critical gaps—unverified practices, missing inspections, and failures in risk controls—yet the organisation celebrated its “safe systems of work” based on that superficial result.
Similarly, many SMS frameworks and documents produced by professionals are off-the-shelf solutions, not tailored to the unique needs, people, and risks of the business. How do we measure their worth? Is compliance alone sufficient, or should value be defined by genuine safety outcomes? Even then, is safety the result of the system, the people, or simply luck?
Training and competency provide another clear example. How often do we encounter individuals who hold certificates or licences yet lack the competence to perform tasks safely and effectively? There are instances where trainees couldn’t understand the trainer’s language, copied answers, or failed to demonstrate understanding—yet still received certification.
So where does the problem lie? Is it with the trainer, the content, or the trainee’s ability to retain knowledge? For those investing in training, how should value be measured—by the certificate, or by demonstrated competence and confidence?
Ultimately, spending more money does not automatically equate to being safer or more committed to safety. Nor does it guarantee a higher-quality product or service. True value lies in outcomes that are authentic, measurable, and aligned with the purpose of protecting people—not just ticking boxes.
