Workplace safety is the conscious activity of companies to protect and prevent injury and illnesses to its most valuable assets; their employees and volunteers. By implementing well a thought out plan of protection and prevention strategies where companies are able to reduce the amount of money paid out in health insurance benefits, workers’ compensation benefits and the cost of wages for temporary help.
Further, factoring in the savings of lost-work hours, man-hours spent in cultivate temporary help, and the services that may suffer due to fewer employees in addition to the stress on those employee who are picking up the absent workers’ share of work. In some cases the need to possibly suspend or shut down a service program due to lack workers.
Addressing safety and health hazards in the workplace make the workplace safer to all. The company has to acknowledge which potential health and safety hazards exist in their environment and determine where, what and how a worker is likely to become injured or ill. Workplace safety starts with analyzing individual workstations and program areas for hazards, and the potential for harm. The first step in developing a workplace safety and health plan is to conduct a Job Hazard Analysis according to of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which is the United States Department of Labor’s watchdog for health and safety of the workforce in America.
OSHA describes a job hazard analysis as “a technique that focuses on job tasks to identify hazards before they occur.” The analysis examines the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools and the work environment” From the analysis the company can determine and identify the tools needed to improve the safety and health in the environment. This may include implementing new policies and training of employees and volunteers to insure continuity and compliance by all involves. OSHA has developed a number of minimal standards for industries to which employers must comply. This article will introduce the types of safety courses available, the types of injuries that can occur, health and safety news updates, and accident prevention tips for the workplace.
