Introduction: The Safety Disconnect at the Top

Across many boardrooms in Kenya and beyond, safety is still seen as a line item — a cost to be contained. Executives speak passionately about revenue, innovation, and market share, yet when it comes to occupational safety and health (OSH), the tone changes. It’s viewed as an expense, a compliance formality, or worse, a “nice to have.” This disconnect is not just disappointing — it’s dangerous. It’s costing lives, reputations, and money. And it’s time we start saying that plainly.

The Business Case Leaders Keep Ignoring

Let’s be clear: safety is not a charity. It is a business driver. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 2.78 million work-related deaths and 374 million non-fatal injuries occur globally each year, costing the world 3.94% of GDP — nearly $3.2 trillion (ILO, 2023). These aren’t just numbers; they are warnings. Every incident has ripple effects: downtime, legal costs, damaged brand image, demotivated teams, and disrupted operations.

Yet most C-suite leaders remain detached from these realities. They’re focused on balance sheets — and ironically, overlooking the fact that a robust safety culture strengthens them. Research from the National Safety Council (2019) shows that every $1 invested in workplace safety yields $4–$6 in return. That’s a better ROI than many tech innovations companies spend millions chasing.

When Safety Is Seen as a Cost, Everyone Pays

I’ve seen firsthand how the decision to “cut corners” or delay investment in OSH systems spirals. Let’s take a case study of a Nairobi-based manufacturer (name withheld for confidentiality). A request for KES 85,000 to replace aging PPE and conduct refresher training was turned down. A month later, a chemical spill severely injured an employee. The resulting medical bills, three-day production halt, and labor unrest cost the company over KES 3.6 million. The board approved the PPE budget after the damage was done. But the real loss was trust — from staff, from clients, from regulators.

This is the true cost of reactive leadership. Safety cannot be a conversation after the incident. By the time an ambulance arrives, it’s already too late to start budgeting.

The Gap in Language and Leadership

Part of the problem is how safety is communicated to leadership. Safety officers often speak in technical terms: compliance clauses, incident logs, and audit scores. Meanwhile, executives think in terms of profit margins, investor confidence, and brand equity. It’s no wonder the message doesn’t land.

If we want boardrooms to take safety seriously, we must translate OSH risks into business language. Don’t just say “we need ergonomic chairs” — say “our current setup is causing repetitive strain injuries, reducing productivity by 12% and risking legal claims.” Use dashboards, trend reports, and case studies to show how safety failures ripple through operations, morale, and ultimately the bottom line.

What the C-Suite Needs to Learn (and Unlearn)

1. Safety is a strategic function — not a support role. It should have a voice in every business decision, from procurement to expansion.
2. Leading indicators matter. Don’t wait for injuries to measure safety. Track near misses, training participation, and employee perceptions.
3. OSH is ESG. Safety and health are central to social sustainability. Investors are paying attention.
4. Reputation is fragile. One incident — especially in today’s social media age — can destroy years of brand equity.

What Safety Officers Must Do Differently

It’s not just the C-suite that needs to evolve. Safety professionals, too, must level up:
– Learn the business: Understand how your company makes money, and where risks intersect with revenue.
– Tell better stories: Use real incidents (with data) to humanize risk. Make safety visible beyond reports.
– Collaborate beyond your silo: Work with HR, finance, marketing. Safety is everyone’s business.
– Speak up with clarity and courage: You’re not “just” a safety officer. You are a protector of lives and livelihoods.

Final Word: It’s Time for Safety to Take the Stage

If the C-suite still doesn’t understand safety, perhaps the real question is: are we explaining it well enough? Are we showing the cost of silence, the price of “wait and see,” and the true value of prevention?

Safety is not just a compliance checkbox. It is a leadership mindset. And it’s time the boardroom caught up.

References

International Labour Organization. (2023). “Safety and health at the heart of the future of work: Building on 100 years of experience. ” Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/lang–en/index.htm

National Safety Council. (2019). “The ROI of Safety: Why Safety is Good Business.” Retrieved from https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/roi

U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. (2007). Investigation report: BP America refinery explosion, Texas City, TX, March 23, 2005 (Report No. 2005-04-I-TX). Retrieved from https://www.csb.gov

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Economic Survey 2023. Nairobi: Government of Kenya. Retrieved from https://www.knbs.or.ke

Wanjau, G. (2025). The real cost of ignoring safety: A Kenyan case study. Unpublished opinion draft.

Why the C-Suite Still Doesn’t Understand Safety — And What It’s Costing Them

By Gladys Wanjau

Indelible Impact / WSPAK Magazine

July 2025

 Author Bio

Gladys Wanjau is an OSH disruptor, coach, and systems thinker reshaping how safety is seen in boardrooms. Her work empowers safety professionals and provokes bold conversations that save lives — and profits.
📧 gwairimuwanjau@gmail.com | 🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/gladys-wanjau-00179551