7 Things to Remember When Starting a Safety Program

1. Policies Just Aren't Enoughincreases which equals increased profits.
It isn't enough to have written policies if you let5. Accidents Don't Just Happen
them sit in a folder until it's time to review them.Despite what we have all come to believe
Policies are the foundations on which your entireaccidents don't just happen. Accidents happen
safety sits so:because of things like:
They must be visible.Complacency.
Easily accessible and.Inaction.
Staff need to be trained to use them.Poor performances in safety programmes.
Just because your policies cover all legislativeLack of training, reporting or listening.
requirements, doesn't give you protection fromBy avoiding trigger factors for accidents we can
prosecution in the event of an accident.easily build a workplace that is safe. A
You need to prove that you've done everythingcommitment to safety first by management will
possible to:lead to a commitment to safety first by staff.
Remove the risk.And only by total commitment will safety be
Substitute another product if possible.achieved.
Safety guards etc in place to protect people.6. Show, Don't Tell
Administrative controls - procedures to keepSafety systems have to be clearly understood by
people safe.all the people using them. From the general
Issued Personal Protective equipment.manager to the newest apprentice, safety must
2. History Doesn't Repeatbe clearly understood.
Just because you haven't had an accident doesn'tHaving policies and procedures that are not clearly
mean you are running a safe workplace.understood is a waste of time and money.
It actually could put you at greater risk of havingThe best way to impart the knowledge is with
an accident due to management or workerposters, charts and diagrams. Print them off,
complacency. Unless you are actively looking forlaminate them and place them in all work areas as
unsafe situations or problems you won't findwell as places like the meal room. Having them
them. And if you don't find them someone will.displayed prominently instead of sitting in a folder
Possibly with tragic consequences.on a shelf will have the effect of keeping the
3. Making Money With Safetysafety culture in your workplace alive which
Making money with safety might seem like akeeps your workers alive.
strange concept but if you think about it for a7. Analysts Help
while it isn't.You've done everything right. You've got OH&S
Think about the costs involved with:committees, you do safety inspections, you listen
Retraining of staff due to high turnover.to your employees when they mention safety
Insurance premium increases due to safetyissues, so you don't need an external analyst do
issues.you?
Decrease in productivity because workers areWRONG.
worried.Having an analyst come in is the same as going to
It will cost to put a safety system in place butyour accountant. A safety analyst specializes in
the long term benefits are huge.safety. They are able to see things from a
4. Healthy Workplace = Happy Workersdifferent perspective and seeing things through a
Ensuring a safe workplace makes your people feeldifferent perspective is good for your business.
valued. And employees that feel valued are moreAnother benefit of having an analyst is they keep
likely to stay with the company and want thecurrent on all legislative changes. An analyst is
company to succeed.amongst the first to know what changes have
Bad employees will tend to leave of their owntaken place at a state and federal level. They are
choice because they won't fit with your company.able to explain exactly what they mean to your
Your company will gain a reputation for being abusiness or industry.
great place to work and you'll find goodJust like an accountant keeps on top of financial
employees easily.matters a safety analyst keeps on top of safety
So staff turnover decreases and productivitymatters, leaving you free to run your business.