Insurance costs increase due to the number of accidents, not how severe the accidents are. Developing a safe environment may help to reduce or even prevent accidents.
Tips for a safer environment:
- Remind employees of the rules and encourage them to make suggestions regarding safety.
- Educate new employees about your safety program and requirements of the job. Knowing how to do the job the right way, whether it is heavy lifting or work at a keyboard, can eliminate common workplace injuries such as repetitive strain and lower back injuries.
- Keep records of training and safety meetings.
- Make the use of safety equipment second nature. Use reminders and incentives to encourage the correct use of equipment.
- Interview employees after each injury to determine not only the facts, but whether the injury could have been prevented.
- Collect physical evidence such as equipment logs and photographs of the location where the injury occurred.
- Learn from accidents. Once a problem area has been identified and analyzed, steps can be taken to eliminate hazards. Ergonomics, better lighting, improved ventilation, machine guarding or a change in process may be all that is necessary.
Links to Safety-Related Websites for Your Reference
- Workplace Safety and Loss Prevention Credits
- Department of Labor Division of Safety and Health
- This site contains information regarding Chapter 635 safety programs.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration Home Page (OSHA)
- OSHA Regulations
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Safety and Health Statistics
- National Safety Council
- This site contains statistics and a library of safety-related articles.
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- Centers for Disease Control