The Real Cost of ‘We’ve Never Had an Accident’

“We’ve never had an accident.” It’s something we hear all the time, and it’s usually said with pride.

And rightly so. A good track record matters. But a lack of accidents doesn’t always mean a lack of risk. Sometimes, it just means you’ve been lucky.

In many workplaces, there are small warning signs happening every day:

• A near miss that gets brushed off
• A process that’s “not ideal” but still works
• A shortcut that saves time but adds risk
• A team member is quietly unsure if they’re doing something correctly

On their own, they don’t feel like a big deal. But over time, these small gaps can build into something much bigger.

The cost of getting it wrong isn’t just financial (although it can be significant). It’s also:

• Stress and pressure on you as a business owner or manager
• Lost time and productivity
• Impact on your team’s confidence and morale
• Reputational damage if things escalate

And often, when something does happen, the biggest frustration is “It could have been prevented.”

Most risks are preventable when you know what to look for.

Having the right knowledge means you can spot issues earlier, understand how serious they really are, and take action before they turn into incidents.

If you’re relying on “nothing’s happened yet” as reassurance, it might be time to take a more proactive approach.

Structured training, like the NEBOSH National General Certificate, is designed to help you do exactly that, giving you the tools to assess risks properly and put the right controls in place with confidence.

For businesses wanting a more proactive approach, Norfolk health and safety training, like our NEBOSH courses, can help you feel more in control and better prepared for whatever comes next.