What term describes the ethical responsibility to ensure worker safety?

The term that best describes the ethical responsibility to ensure worker safety is moral expectations. This encompasses the inherent duty that employers and management have to act in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of their employees. While legal obligations are about compliance with laws and regulations, moral expectations go beyond legal requirements to reflect a commitment to doing what is right and just. It involves creating an environment where workers feel safe and valued, highlighting the organization's dedication to their welfare irrespective of regulatory mandates.

Moral expectations also drive cultural change within organizations, fostering a safety-oriented mindset that encourages everyone to participate in safety initiatives. Although company policies and professional standards support safety practices, they are typically structured around compliance and technical criteria rather than the more profound ethical responsibility represented by moral expectations.