What reflects societal standards regarding workplace safety?

Public expectations play a vital role in reflecting societal standards regarding workplace safety. These expectations are shaped by a variety of factors, including public awareness of health and safety issues, media coverage of accidents and incidents, and government regulations. As society evolves, so do the expectations of what constitutes an acceptable level of safety in the workplace. People generally demand safer working conditions, and this societal pressure encourages organizations to adopt better safety practices, thus influencing policy changes and workplace standards.

Changing social attitudes also contribute to how safety is perceived, but they are broader trends rather than specific expectations. While HSE statistics provide data on workplace incidents and can inform public perception, they don't directly reflect societal standards. Health and safety failures highlight areas where standards may not have been met but do not encapsulate the overall societal expectations surrounding workplace safety. Therefore, public expectations are the most direct indicator of the standards society sets for workplace safety.