Safety in the workplace is something that impacts every company, from the smallest business to the largest international corporation. Companies that struggle with safety issues spend more money on health care and related costs, resulting in higher overall expenses, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. However, with a few preventive measures, companies can easily boost worker safety.
History
Concern about safety in the workplace dates back to 1936, when Congress enacted the Walsh-Healey Act, which outlined rules regarding employees of companies working under government contracts. That action also outlined workplace safety. Worker safety took on a higher status in 1970, when Congress, citing the burdens of workplace safety and worker illnesses, passed the OSH Act, which set up the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) that oversees workplace safety today.
Facts
A little diligence with workplace safety, often overlooked, can save money and lives. There were 1,158,870 nonfatal workplace injuries that resulted in at least one day away from work in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Days lost to injury result in lower productivity at the workplace and potentially higher insurance rates to the business owner. But, with a few changes, a business owner can create a safer environment.
Types
There are many steps a business owner or even an employee can take to make a workplace safer. For instance, slips and falls are the No. 1 cause of injuries in the workplace. Workers trip over items left in walkways or, perhaps, an electrical cord splayed across a job site. Taking time to eliminate those types of hazards can help save days lost at work. Stage regular fire drills. Likewise, making sure chemicals are properly marked and handled can also help create a safer workplace environment. Overall, employees should be properly trained to use the equipment involved in their daily work and provided with proper safety gear, such as gloves and eye protection, to do their jobs correctly.
Problems/Solutions
One way to help with safety issues in the workplace is to provide training to management and workers. There are a variety of basic first aid, safety and CPR classes taught by trained instructors from the American Heart Association, the American Safety & Health Institute and other organizations that can help improve safety in the workplace. Indeed, OSHA suggests that employers show their commitment by investing time, effort and money in safety and health programs. Each workplace should have an employee dedicated to looking for safety issues and a way that others can suggest safety improvements. OSHA also offers a number of informational documents to help employers meet governmental requirements for safety.
Benefits
Workers who feel their bosses care about their safety are likely to feel more appreciated in the workplace. A safe workplace also saves employers money in terms of health care costs and workers' compensation claims. Moreover, a safe workplace is an efficient workplace.
Tags: workplace safety, business owner, safety issues, create safer, health care