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Greetings!
For years we have been actively promoting that safety saves, not costs, companies. In May, Science magazine released the results of a five year, peer reviewed study that examined workplace safety inspections conducted by California's Division of Occupational Safety & Health (CAL/OSHA). The study compared 409 inspected and uninspected firms. Some of their findings include:
- Employees at the inspected firms were less frequently injured and, consequently, the inspected firms suffered fewer injury-related costs.
- Encouragingly, there were no significant differences in other economic outcomes, such as sales and employment levels, between control and inspected firms.
- Randomly inspected employers experienced a 9.4% decline in injury rates and a 26% reduction in injury cost in the four years following the inspection. This means that the average employer saved $355,000 (in 2011 dollars) as a result of an OSHA inspection.
- No evidence was found that these improvements came at the expense of employment, sales, credit ratings, or firm survival.
OSHA Director, Dr. David Michaels, posted his reaction to the study on his blog, Work in Progress. "The findings should finally put an end to the criticisms that OSHA inspections make running a business more expensive without adding value. The results are in: OSHA saves lives and jobs!"
The Corporate & Public Safety department offers free safety assessments that can identify areas of concern and save money for your organization. Assessments are confidential and non-regulatory. To learn more, please e-mail safety@northampton.edu or call 610-332-6596.
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IN THE NEWS
OSHA's Safety Tests Protect Workers at Little Cost: Study
Health.USnews.com
Government's workplace safety inspections reduce on-the-job injuries and related costs without hurting company profits, a new U.S. study finds. <READ MORE>
June is National Safety Month NSC.org
Each June, the National Safety Council encourages organizations to get involved and participate in National Safety Month. NSM is an annual observance to educate and influence behaviors around the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Each week carries a theme that brings attention to critical safety issues.
<READ MORE>
OSHA Cites Three Pennsylvania Contractors for Safety Violations, Issues Fines Totaling $193,400
Tasco-Safety.com
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations on June 6 to three Pennsylvania-based construction contractors for alleged workplace safety violations and fines that totaled $193,400.
NAHB Releases Occupational Safety Guide for American Companies
Tasco-Safety.com
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced on June 4 that the organization would release of the latest edition of the "Jobsite Safety Handbook". A guide for industrial companies looking to better comply with regulations set by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the soon-to-be-released book is the third edition of its kind.
<READ MORE>
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UPCOMING TRAINING
CBI Safety Certificates Beginning in August 2012
Looking for a way to train employees on the economic value of safety or how to build a productive safety committee without having to commit to a full week away from the office or production floor? We have the solution. Our comprehensive Economics of Safety and Successful Safety Committee certificate workshops meet the first Tuesday of the month for five months in two hour sessions. The training also provides a platform to network and brainstorm with other health and safety professionals. Please contact Damian Dinan at 610-861-5064 or ddinan@northampton.edu to register, discuss pricing options for multiple employees and payment methods. <DOWNLOAD FLYER>
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FREE SAFETY ASSESSMENTS
The Center for Business & Industry - Corporate & Public Safety provides free safety assessments that include a tour of your facility and a review of your safety practices to ensure the highest level of safety, performance and compliance are being implemented at your organization. Please note: the free assessment does not include documentation and is not regulatory. To find out more, please call
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SAFETY LINES
Tom Barnowski
Corporate & Public Safety Director
Recent studies concluded that random government safety inspections reduce worker injuries without bankrupting employers. Additionally, these studies revealed that there were no discernible layoffs or job eliminations. Prices did not increase. Worker compensation claims were reduced. Insurance premiums were decreased due to reduced losses. Profitability was not affected. Some suggest billions of dollars could be saved if safety inspections were expanded across the nation. But what is the down side? Is there a down side?
Attendees at a recent safety class were asked to play the role of a plant manager tasked to explain a workplace fatality. Without exception the role playing revealed an attitude of blaming the employee for not following the rules. Conversely, when role playing was reversed, it became apparent that the employer's failure to provide a safe workplace was to blame. How could this be? Within the context of the simulated workplace fatality the conversations of blame and financial loss placed the dollar figure in the stratosphere while providing no apparent remedies.
But what of the costs associated with the promotion and implementation of workplace safety practices? How do they compare to costs of catastrophe? The class quickly realized that efforts to promote and implement safety practices were cheap. Inspections, whether performed by a government entity or internally, that expose safety deficiencies would save money. Once exposed, mitigation efforts that include training and appropriate remedies would indeed enhance the bottom line, while affirming the value of safety for all in the workplace.
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