KANSAS CITY, Mo: Workplace safety is important, but sometimes implementation in the workplace can be overlooked. Lockton's Senior Loss Control Consultant Tim Balmer explains in his white paper that injuries caused from lack of enforcing safety can lead to a reduction in profits.
"Most business owners and managers will say safety is their number one priority, but it can often take a back seat to production," Balmer said. "A strong safety culture will both reduce employee injuries and increase profits."
Employees like to feel valued and seeing their employer values workers' safety increases productivity. It also reduces the costs incurred from injury and loss of work from the employee injured.
Balmer explains five practices employers can implement to achieve a greater safety culture and impacts their bottom line. They include:
1.Take it from the top - Managers must be educated on safety standards and rules and lead by example by implementing the rules and showing high levels of productivity.
2.Communicate your safety message - Educate your employees about safety practices from the first day.
3.What gets measured gets done - Safety program expectations must clearly be communicated and followed with documentation.
4.Hold everyone accountable - Supervisors must hold employees accountable when they do not follow safety protocol. This will keep them and those around them safe.
5.Understand that investing in safety culture pays - In the long run, a safety culture can help create high employee morale, reduce injuries, and increase productivity.
The most challenging part of creating an effective safety culture is getting employee buy in, but it can lead to better quality production and work environment.
