Show But no matter what industry your business is in, creating and maintaining a safety-conscious culture is something that should always be near the top of your list of priorities, because the alternative is quite expensive: The national Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that employers pay almost $1 billion per week in direct costs related to workplace injuries and illnesses. And employers who are found to have violated OSHA’s federal workplace safety standards can face steep penalties. Whether you’re just beginning to look into building a safety program, or looking for ways to enhance an existing program, you should be aware that there are four main approaches employers tend to take to workplace safety: The Reactive ApproachThe reactive approach is the one most often taken by employers who are just starting out, as well as smaller, localized companies. Employers who take this approach are often unsure of the various standards they may need to comply with, and may not understand how the laws and agencies that regulate employers may affect them. As such, they are only capable to responding and reacting to an incident after it occurs. Characteristics of the reactive approach:
The Static ApproachThe static approach is the next step above the reactive approach, and is one that many businesses choose to employ. Companies who use this approach tend to view workplace safety as necessary, but not necessarily a vital part of their business plan. Characteristics of the static approach:
The Active ApproachEmployers with some experience in safety issues, such as those with a history of incidents or who have been inspected by OSHA, are usually then motivated to take a more active approach to workplace safety. Characteristics of the active approach:
The Dynamic ApproachThe final and most effective approach is the dynamic approach. Companies who take this approach are truly invested and committed to creating a culture of safety within their organization. Characteristics of the dynamic approach:
ConclusionThe ROI of workplace safety programs is undeniable. Employers who make a commitment to creating programs that engage employees across all levels of the organization, conduct regular safety audits, actively work to prevent and control hazards and provide ongoing safety training will see drastic differences, not only when it comes to the number of workplace accidents and injuries and the associated costs, but also in the level of employee morale within their organization. At G&A Partners, we believe prevention is the best defense against workplace accidents. Our team of highly trained workplace safety and risk management professionals help our clients design and administer safety programs that not only ensure they remain compliant with federal safety standards, but also provides them with the training, resources and support they need to make sound decisions regarding the health and safety of their employees. G&A Partners’ workplace safety services include:
To learn more about our workplace safety services, call 1-866-634-6713 to speak to an expert, or schedule a free business consultation. What is the best approach to safety?Proactive. First and foremost, a good approach to health & safety in the workplace is proactive. You think about safety before an incident arises, not as a means of reacting to a workplace accident or incident but as a means of stopping an incident from happening in the first place.
What is approach to safety?What Does Safety Approach Mean? A safety approach describes the philosophies, activities, and technologies used by an organization or industry to identify risks at the workplace. A safety approach also reduces and hopefully eliminates injuries and accidents, while complying with health and safety legal requirements.
What makes a safety management system effective?According to the National Safety Council, an effective safety management program should: Reduce the risk of workplace incidents, injuries, and fatalities through data-driven measurements and improvements. Involve people from different parts of the organization to make safety a shared responsibility.
What is the most important element of an effective safety and health program?Perhaps the most critical element of an effective safety program is regular and honest safety audits to identify and correct workplace hazards. Consistent audits are the easiest way to recognize hazards, implement corrective actions, and ultimately prevent worker injuries and their associated costs.
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