Safety program !

Do you remember the (good?) ole days when there wasn’t a safety program, or if there was, it was in name only?  Remember when a worker could walk beams without any fall protection?  Also remember when little or no protection was used.  I could go on for quite a while but I am sure you get the picture.  A safety program not only protects the workers but protects companies responsible for the project and the client as well.

Let’s discuss reasons for a safety program:

• Financial –Properly executed safety programs can impact the bottom line directly or indirectly. All companies want to and should make a profit when the job is complete. With a successful safety program, worker’s comp claims, insurance costs and legal fees are minimized which is a sample of indirect costs. Loss of manpower and productivity caused when attention is put toward investigating a happened incident. This is a sample of indirect cost.
• Morale—A good safety program can boost morale. When a worker feels the company and its’ management really cares they feel they can make a difference. Studies show where morale is high fewer incidents/accidents happen. Also where morale is high there are fewer absences which can produce more productivity and quality of work.
• Reputation—A company with a reputation for having a good safety program and for having quality work will be given a positive nod when bidding a job.
• Worker buy in—This goes along with morale. When a good safety program is implemented it is easy for workers to “buy in” to the program thus producing lower injuries. Studies show that companies who implement an effective safety program can reduce their injury and illness rates by 20 percent and a return of $4 to $6 for every dollar invested

 
There should be no argument that workplace safety is important.  However, sometimes it is unintentionally overlooked.  This leaves workers on the job site exposed to risks.  To have a good safety program, proper safety training is important.  Safety training can give the tools workers need to understand and self implement a safe working environment.  Management should not only allow but demand that safety training be allocated for training.  There are many companies that specialize in training but a well trained and experienced safety professional is an asset to any company and could be used to accomplish safety training.