The "unseen costs" of accidents in the workplace can be hugely damaging to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), according to one expert.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), an independent body which offers advice on health and safety, said that business insurance is often not enough to repair the damage done by an incident.
Lisa Fowlie, president of IOSH, said: "For a small business, if they have an accident at work or somebody gets hurt, then it's the bad publicity and other added affects that actually cost the business."
She added the "iceberg affect" of insuring for small damages and incurring a number of hidden costs can damage business reputations as well as loss of income.
"The understanding of the hazard for the business and actually putting best practice into place is very important," she concluded.
European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2007 has been taking place this week with this year's focus on the avoidance of musculoskeletal disorders.
