Safety in the workplace is something that is often thought of relative to construction sites and manufacturing facilities. However, it is just as important to focus on safety at an office as it is at a construction site. business. Even the smallest details should not be overlooked, as the most insignificant accident could result in financial damage for both the owner individually, and the company as a whole.
The first step in mitigating risks in the workplace, be it an office, a manufacturing facility, construction site or a retail store is to identify problem areas. Every organization, regardless of the industry needs to implement measures to ensure all precautions are taken in order to prevent employee injury. Such areas may include slippery/wet floors; stock/materials not stored properly; employees not wearing protective safety clothing. Another measure that needs to be addressed is conducting periodic safety training and making sure all employees participate in sessions.
Unfortunately many business owners don’t have the time to address these important issues until an accident happens and/or claim occurs, which in turn, can have a significant financial impact on the business’ bottom line. The business owner will have to pay for all medical bills, wages while the injured worker is out of work, not to mention having to train a replacement whether temporary or permanent for the worker out on leave due to injury. In today’s litigious society the legal repercussions can be quite severe. A large claim can have a significant effect on an organization’s worker’s compensation insurance and cause the owner to pay higher premiums.
As I mentioned earlier, many business owners think that having the worker’s compensation insurance is the only risk mitigation measure available to them. That is not so. Implementing a comprehensive safety program and initiatives, making sure all employees are properly trained and adhering to the procedures in place is just as important as having worker’s compensation coverage. This can either be done internally or by hiring a third party who specializes in safety risk management. Once an improved system is in place, the company can mitigate their risk, save money and guarantee a safer work environment for their employees.
In my next blog on this very important subject, I will address Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and what an organization needs to do to be in compliance.
As you are structuring the safety program for your company, feel free to call me if you would like to discuss these safety measures in further detail.
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