June is National Safety Month - Week 4
Jun 25th, 2003
As an employer or manager, you're responsible for ensuring the safety of your employees and those who visit your premises. Did you know that companies with solid safety programs have fewer injuries and greater productivity? The fourth week of National Safety Month®, June 22-30, focuses on activities that can help make your workplace safer.Safety Management
Facts to Know: Emergency Preparedness
- In 2001, there were 5,300 work-related unintentional-injury deaths in the U.S. The total cost of these deaths was $132.1 billion.
- 3.9 million Americans suffered disabling injuries on the job in 2001; 6.8 million American workers suffered disabling injuries off the job in 2001.
- Each work-related disabling injury can cost $29,000. Included in this cost are lost wages,
The National Safety Council recommends these steps:
- Foster an attitude of safety awareness; make it part of your company's culture, and get management on board.
- Designate a safety team leader who is committed to staying up to date on current safety issues. Form a safety team and report on its meetings to all employees. People will work harder to implement new ideas if they are given responsibility to develop those ideas themselves.
- Develop a systematic approach to accident investigation. Check out the NSC book Accident Investigation, 2nd Edition, for sample forms and case studies.
- Establish an effective emergency response and evacuation plan; keep it updated and practice it regularly. The NSC's On-Site Emergency Response Planning Guide provides plan templates you can customize for any business, and helps you incorporate OSHA regulations into your emergency plans.
- Create a schedule of monthly or weekly safety briefings. The NSC's Today's Supervisor is a monthly newsletter that can serve as the basis of a quick safety session.
- Focus on safety training and continuing education. Select courses that are appropriate to your business and make it a priority to provide them to your workers. Consider offering Defensive Driving and First Aid courses to any interested employees.
- Urge workers to take advantage of employee assistance programs when necessary. They'll find it hard to concentrate on safety if they're struggling with personal problems.
- Address off-the-job safety and health issues by promoting your company's wellness programs, or consider subsidizing health club fees. Provide a magazine like Family Safety & Health, which offers safety and wellness tips and articles for families.