Importance of Developing Workplace Safety Programs 

Why do you need workplace safety programs in your place of business?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 5,000 employees are killed in workplace incidents every year.

Additionally, over 2.8 million workers suffer significant work-related injuries or illnesses annually.

These dire statistics illustrate the importance of prioritizing your staff’s health, safety and well-being, regardless of the size or sector of your company.

Why are Workplace Safety Programs Important?

Composing, implementing and maintaining a suitable workplace safety program should be among your business’s top priorities. Specifically, these efforts may garner the following benefits:

• Better employee health—By establishing formal practices and processes focused on maintaining the health and safety of its employees, your company may be better positioned to minimize the risk of on-the-job incidents. Even when injuries or illnesses do occur, being prepared can limit their severity and help employees return to work quicker.

• Ensured legal compliance—Your workplace may need to adhere to certain regulations and requirements related to workplace safety, such as those imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Failing to do so could lead to significant fines and penalties, including even being forced to shut down your business.

• Improved financial security—In addition to the aforementioned fines, not having a proper workplace safety program can also pose additional financial threats. Employees injured on the job or become ill due to work-related tasks will file a workers’ compensation claim, which will affect the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance premium by increasing the company’s experience modification factor.  Additionally, injured or ill workers are often less productive or removed from work until healed, adversely impacting your company’s bottom line and employee morale.

How to Establish Workplace Safety Programs

When putting together your business’s workplace safety program, consider the following steps:

1. Identify risks. Knowing where potential threats lie is a key first step, as this can help you allocate resources and implement precautions. Performing risk assessments will help employers identify potential hazards.
2. Install safety measures. Once hazards are identified employers must fix or eliminate those hazards. To do this, control measures can be put into place. These are elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment.
3. Educate employees. Your safety program and initiatives may be inefficient unless you ensure your staff is well-informed and properly trained about the dangers and precautions in their workplace.
4. Plan reassessments. Workplace hazards will change as your business evolves. Be sure to monitor and evaluate your workplace safety program regularly (e.g., annually).

We’re Here to Help

Contact Lyceum Insurance Services today to learn more about workplace safety programs or other ways you can ensure your business is functioning at optimal levels.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.