Safety is always a top priority at Star Staffing. June is National Safety Month so why not dedicate this month’s blogs to safety! I would have to write a blog every hour of every day to even cover half of the topics I would like to get too so I’m sure we won’t get to everything. But hopefully the information provided will be beneficial. Please contact Star Staffing for any additional information
Most importantly, safety in the workplace is important for the worker but it is also important for the company.
Many workers spend most of their day in the workplace and expect it to be as safe and free from potential hazards as possible. To be most productive employees need to know they are working in a safe environment. They need to feel confident in their safety training and know that their fellow employees are also trained in safety issues and procedures. When workers feel they are in a safe work environment they are more motivated to do a good job.
Companies want to keep their workers safe and free from potential dangers. Naturally, personal safety is important however management also must consider the financial costs of workplace accidents. When a worker is injured on the job, the company can be affected in many ways including the following possibilities:
- Medical expenses for the employee
- Increased insurance premiums
- Increased premiums to workers compensation
- Lost man hours of work
- Legal costs
The morale and productivity of employees is also often affected when a workplace injury occurs. This usually happens whether or not the injured worker was following specified safety procedures or not.
One of the duties of an employer is keeping his workers safe from illness and injury in the workplace. One way to accomplish this is to follow the regulations set by OSHA for the specific industry. Companies should also have a program of health and safety training for their employees that focuses on general safety as well as the specific hazards of the industry. In addition to setting forth specific industry regulations, OSHA also works with employers to achieve compliance of the regulations at the company’s request.
In addition to regular safety training meetings, here are many things management can do to help keep workers safe on the job.
- Include employees in discussions on policies involving safety issues and in identifying existing and potential workplace hazards. By doing this, workers are more apt to be compliant and accountable.
- Encourage workers to report any workplace hazards they encounter.
- Post a copy of the company’s health and safety policy in a place that is visible for everyone to see.
- Make certain an employee is properly trained on any new equipment, or on a piece of equipment that is new to that employee.
- Post workplace safety slogans, signs and posters that reinforce safe work habits.
- Form employee safety teams or committees and have them take part in safety inspections.
- Make certain that all managers and supervisors are trained to recognize potential workplace hazards.
- Safety issues may change over time and need to be reevaluated periodically.
Star Staffing is a member of the National Safety Council. Not only does this keep us at the top of our safety game but it allows us to provide our employees, clients and communities with some of the best safety information. Check out this link for more information about National Safety Month. http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx