Yes, it may save you money on the front end but lets look at the long term effect of the issue.
If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to correct the problems?
What is SAFETY:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1W1ACEW_enUS360US360&q=safety&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&ei=yB7oTbgFh_jSAaWe6J4B&ved=0CE4QkQ4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=2a9ecbf29d91d2ce&biw=1366&bih=540ct
Since we are born we are told about being safe. To wear our seat belts, wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle's. Not to dive in shallow waters. The list is long. I am sure you could list more.
SAFETY! Is it really a cost saving factor?
Safety, why do we compel ourselves to worry about this topic? Why do business owners and operators cut the budget of this topic and think in the long run it will save them BIG MONEY?
Yes, it may save you money on the front end but lets look at the long term effect of the issue.
> Increase cost of Worker Compensation Insurance
> Possible OSHA Fines
> Increase in insurance cost
> Long term medical and rehab care
The list is endless on this topic. I am sure that you can list several more that I have not listed.
If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why; when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to correct the problem?
Safety, why do we compel ourselves to worry about this topic? Why do business owners and operators cut the budget of this topic and think in the long run it will save them BIG MONEY?
(Please post a comment about this. I am curious to hear what the readers have to say.)
If you have a safety issue it is more cost effective to CORRECT the PROBLEMS when first noticed then wait till you have to fix it. So why when an employer is told about a condition that can cause injury or death they do not want to
So why are more business owners and operators reducing the spending on SAFETY?
I feel that if a business owner/operator, can reduce the cost of these classes they can add more profit to the bottom line; the CEO or Board of Directors will do it to safe a buck!. But does it really? Yes, there are business that have gone years without a recordable accident. Yes, it has probably saved Tens of thousands of Dollars in cost for injuries and work compensation payments. But just 1(one) death can result in MILLIONS of Dollars in Cost SPENT and could cost the business to file bankruptcy.
With any fatal Worker Death while on duty OSHA will investigate and believe me that when they walk thru the door to do an investigation they will leave with at least 3 violations regarding the issue of the workers death.
So is it a cost savings tool to do away with Safety Training? The answer is simple......NO!
A simple Safety Class could cost a couple of hundred of dollars but can also save a life. Have you ever thought about what types of SAFETY CLASSES there are other then in house?
Look at these topics for Safety Classes:
> Fire Extinguisher Training
> CPR
> First Aid
> Disaster Planning
> Fire Pre-planning
> Evacuation Drills
These are a few to name, there is more!
Things that might be overlooked in house on training;
> Walk thru in your own business looking for signs of a potential hazard.> Check your parking lot for holes, broken curbs.
> Checking all mechanical equipment for loose parts/guards.
> Retraining your crew about their job(s) (i.e. transportation safety, worker general safety.)
> Housekeeping and storage of flammables in non approved cabinets.
Look at the placement of the fire extinguisher. It is placed over a dump for used motor oil!
Safety is a STRONG TOPIC and should be dealt with as such. By cutting the cost of this VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE that faces not only the employees but the customers that they severe. By cutting SAFETY PROGRAMS and class training will ultimately cost the company its money it saved and could cost the company to loose business and close.
Case > I stay at a major hotel chain several times a week. I saw a VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FIRE PROBLEM. The Problem > Box Springs were pushed tight up against electrical wiring that was plugged into a wall outlet for the alarm clock radio. I spoke to the General manager expressed my Personal and Professional Opinion and he made a change to move the beds from the wall outlet. Not only did he do this he contacted the Hotel Chain Corporate Office and explained that there was a problem with locating the beds where they wanted them.The hotel chains system wide from franchise to Corporate owned property changed there policy of where to locate the beds.
Just look at your place of business that you work at. Bring these safety issue problems to management. Place the burden on them to correct the problems. If they refuse too then the burden is upon the powers to be in the decision thought process.
As always, enjoy the blogs and I hope I have brought an insight to some important topics.
Stay Safe!
Roy
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