How Health and Safety Training in the Workplace Benefits Everyone

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) was established by an act of Congress in 1970 to address the issues of workplace safety. Since its inception, OSHA has developed health and safety training in the workplace by addressing how different industries face different challenges. By training workers in health and safety issues; employees, employers, customers, insurance companies, and the general public are all beneficiaries of the program.

Employees Viewpoint

By training an employee of health and safety issues he may encounter while working, the employee is ready to meet the challenges of his job.

Safety and health training vary greatly depending upon the career field an employee is working in. A health care worker will require training in blood-borne pathogens and proper disposal of medical waste while a construction worker may need training in fall protection and working in confined spaces.

Employer's Viewpoint

Employee accidents can be devastating from an employer's point of view. If a worker is injured on the job, his production is cut, lost time benefits will cost the company money, and insurance premiums are likely to skyrocket, making it harder for an employer to keep his doors open. By training his employees in health and safety, the employer can meet obligations to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) as well as receive discounts from his insurance company. By training his employees, the employer knows he has done his part in keeping his employees safe.

Public Viewpoint

The public may have direct and indirect benefits from employees receiving health and safety training. In the retail and food handling industry, health and safety training may stop the outbreak of food poisoning or help to keep customers safe with good housekeeping skills in the work place.

The general public can benefit by a lower tax burden as employees who are working are not receiving government benefits. An employee who is contributing to the tax system is a benefit to the tax payer over one who is drawing from the tax system in workman's comp and other government supported systems.

Insurance Viewpoint

Insurance companies provide discounts to employers and businesses who have well balanced health and safety training for their employees. This provides the insurance company with the knowledge that everything that can be done is being done to prevent accidents.

To promote health and safety in the workplace, many insurance companies will provide free handouts and presentations for use in a classroom setting for employees.

Co-Worker's Viewpoint

Health and safety training in the workplace provides measures to insure not only the employee's well-being but also take into account the co-worker's well-being. Correctional officers are trained to provide backup to their fellow co-workers, as are police and firemen. Soldiers on the battlefield will put themselves in the line of fire to protect another fallen soldier.

By providing health and safety training in the workplace, everyone benefits.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Safety and Health Topics Index

United States Department of Labor: OSHA: A History of its First Thirteen Years, 1971-1984