Is Your Safety Program Sending the Right Message?

Many businesses today are realizing the effect employee safety has on their bottom line. Insurance rates are increasing exponentially compared to profits. Putting an effective safety program into place is a sure way to retain revenue. However, the economic advantage should only be the icing on the cake; the focus of a true safety program must be the welfare of those it affects most - the workers.

There is no doubt that workers' compensation coverage is expensive. Each autumn, many companies are going through the renewal process and learning what their premium increases will be for the next year. There are usually two trains of thought: high premium, low deductible or high deductible, low premium.

Companies that chose the low deductible generally to not pay much mind to their employee's safety; if there is an injury, so what, the insurance company takes care of it and there is little effect on them. The problem with this theory is when injuries get out of hand and they catch the attention of the underwriters. Premiums will go through the roof or the insurance company will deny coverage completely.

Implementing a safety program is the best way to reduce the high premiums associated with workers' compensation coverage. However, the focus of the program must be on the employee's wellbeing otherwise all efforts may be in vain. Employees today expect most companies to have a safety department in one form or another. Many may even go as far to change jobs in order to ensure their employer cares about their personal safety. If workers feel that the company does not care for their safety, even if they have a safety program, they may quit.

Safety programs build employee moral and teamwork. When implemented properly, not only is there a reduction in injuries, but the communication between management and staff is improved; productivity is increased. Employees should be involved in every step of creating the program.

This will give them ownership of the company's safety and increase adherence to safety rules. Who would know better how to improve safety other than the person doing the job everyday? Each accident must be investigated and the results shared with the staff. The attitude of "every accident is preventable" must be spread throughout the workplace.

Many times employees make suggestions for safety improvements. Managers and Executive leaders must listen and strongly consider each one. Understandably, budget concerns may restrict some of them, but when workers see their suggestions being implemented it boosts their moral and their participation in the safety program.

The attitude must come from the top and work its way down. When the CEO, President or General Manager makes the commitment to ensure their employees safety, the effects will be felt down to the person sweeping the floor. Even though their motivation may be monetary, to reduce insurance rates, their message must be clear "every person should go home uninjured and safety is considered in every business decision".