| It is estimated that over 40 million workers | | | | is to increase the prices of the goods they |
| in the United States had to receive emergency | | | | produce. This places the burden of expense |
| medical treatment for workplace-related | | | | on the consumer, and allows companies to |
| injuries in the year 2003. This is a | | | | ignore the root cause of their workplace |
| staggering number when one considers the | | | | injuries. The focus here seems to be on |
| efforts most companies have put into | | | | maintaining a healthy relationship with |
| maintaining a safe workplace. In modern | | | | shareholders, and not necessarily on |
| times, a number of companies have been found | | | | maintaining a healthy workforce. |
| liable for injuries sustained in their places | | | | |
| of business. There is a relationship that | | | | It is interesting to note that there are |
| exists between workplace safety and | | | | record numbers of jobs, especially in the |
| profitability. | | | | industrial sector, being sent overseas. |
| | | | There are a number of reasons to account for |
| Every company, especially those involved in | | | | this. One of the most significant reasons is |
| industrial manufacturing, is constantly | | | | that American companies are able to shave |
| looking at ways to continuously improve their | | | | their operating costs down to a fraction of |
| products and processes. They realize that | | | | their domestic costs, by capitalizing on |
| their profits are directly related to the | | | | cheaper labor in foreign markets. Foreign |
| ways and means by which they produce their | | | | governments, eager for investment, are all |
| products. Unfortunately, too many companies | | | | too willing to accommodate the interests of |
| get caught up in drive for higher profits and | | | | big western business. Far too often, this |
| tend to allow workplace safety to become an | | | | comes at the expense of workplace safety. |
| afterthought. | | | | |
| | | | If companies want to be profitable in the |
| The costs associated with operating a large | | | | long term, they need to reexamine their |
| manufacturing facility in America are | | | | approach to workplace safety and the health |
| astounding. Workplace injuries place a | | | | of their workers. Many companies are sending |
| massive burden of expense and weakened | | | | jobs overseas, in order to take advantage of |
| productivity on a company. These injuries | | | | cheap labor and relaxed labor laws. American |
| can be reduced with proper planning and | | | | companies can be both profitable and safety |
| careful attention to detail. Most workplace | | | | conscious. Through directed education |
| injuries are preventable. There are a number | | | | campaigns and preemptive planning, workplace |
| of factors to consider, but maintaining a | | | | injuries can be reduced in a significant way. |
| safe and tidy work area is one of the best | | | | Remember: a safe worker is a happy worker, |
| ways to prevent injury. Workers, too, have a | | | | and a happy worker is a productive worker. |
| responsibility in keeping themselves safe | | | | |
| from harm. | | | | Jim Staller is very passionate about |
| | | | workplace safety. When he is not researching |
| Workplace injuries place a significant burden | | | | the latest health and safety information, he |
| on health care providers and insurance | | | | writes for - an excellent online resource for |
| companies. As companies continue to pay | | | | information about Safety Supplies, Industrial |
| higher premiums for employee health care, one | | | | Electronics, Equipment and more. |
| of the only means available for cost recovery | | | | |