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Nine tips for creating a safer workplace
Think SAFE – T – WINS
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Workplace accidents and injuries are expensive for employers, not to mention painful for injured employees. According to safety consultants at CompSource Oklahoma, many work injuries can be avoided.
“When employers focus on reducing accidents and injuries in the workplace by controlling the risks associated with their business operations, everyone wins,” said Steve Compton, CompSource Safety Director. “Increased production, decreased business costs and safer employees are all by-products of a safe work environment.”
June is celebrated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council and many employers are looking for ways to reduce workers’ compensation expenses through injury prevention. CompSource Oklahoma provides these nine tips for improving workplace safety:
1. Set a company safety policy.
Define the company’s safety goals and set policy accordingly. Safety begins with management that is committed to the goals.
2. Assign clearly defined safety responsibilities for each employee.
From top management down – everyone should have clearly defined safety responsibilities and be held accountable for performance.
3. Formulate a written safety manual.
At a minimum, the safety manual should include assignment of responsibilities, penalties for violations, safety rules, and accident/injury reporting procedures.
4. Eliminate hazards.
Identify and remove hazards through inspection of the workplace and the job processes. Job safety analysis, chemical hazard identification, use of personal protective equipment, setting priorities for eliminating hazards and maintenance of equipment should be in this step.
5. Train everyone within the organization.
An effective safety program includes ongoing safety training for all levels of the organization. It should include classroom instruction, training sessions and informal one-on-one instruction.
6. Watch for safety awareness opportunities within every facet of the business.
Establish a safety culture in the workplace by promoting safety through open communication, teamwork, shared responsibilities, and a management attitude of “no compromise on safety.” Design and implement a recognition program that reinforces safety and builds internal incentives for safety promotion.
7. Implement a first aid/medical system.
The company’s internal first aid/medical system should address medical exams given after the initial job offer, first aid and emergency care procedures and screening for personal protective equipment.
8. Note all accidents and injuries.
All accident and injuries should be investigated and recorded. This helps identify accident trends within an organization so corrective actions can be implemented for prevention.
9. Start a loss control program aimed at reducing losses after an injury.
Even after an injury has occurred, the total cost of the claim can be kept to a minimum by implementing a transitional return to work program. The sooner the injured employee can reasonably return to work, the lower the costs.
For more safety tips or for additional ideas on how employers can create a safer workplace, download the Safe-T-Wins manual.
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