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When most people think of hazardous work environments, they think of construction sites, manufacturing plants, or factories. Although these workplaces are inherently dangerous, workplace injuries can occur in any work environment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of injuries and thousands of fatalities occur in the workplace. Workplace injuries and fatalities aren’t limited to dangerous environments, either. They can occur unexpectedly in work environments like offices, retail stores, and other common workplaces.
Safety in the workplace should be a top priority for employers, regardless of the location. Let’s take a look at why safety is important in the workplace and how employers can encourage safety.
REDC at Yavapai College offers an online Office Health and Safety Course that explains what it takes to keep yourself and your coworkers healthy in the office.
Why Is Safety Important in the Workplace? 5 Reasons to Be Safe at Work
Safety in the workplace is mutually beneficial to both the employer and their employees. It creates an environment that’s centered around responsibility, camaraderie, and professionalism. Ensuring safety in the workplace is essential to your business’ success and your employees well-being.
To further understand why safety is important in the workplace, here are five key reasons:
- Prevents accidents and injuries
- Increases productivity
- Improves employee morale
- Lowers costs
- Complies with legal obligations
Let’s take a look at these five reasons in detail to determine why safety in the workplace is important.
Prevent Accidents and Injuries
Your employees deserve to work in a safe environment. Everyday, workers show up to their jobs with the expectation that they will make it home safely. They trust that their employers will look after their well-being, and they will have a safe environment to get the job done right.
Accidents and injuries not only affect your employee’s physical health, but they can impact their mental health too. Employees that work in an unsafe environment are prone to stress and burnout, which can further increase the risk for accidents and injuries.
Read our related article to discover how to build an HR strategy.
Increase Productivity
Employees that work in unsafe environments are constantly on alert for potential hazards. This pulls their focus away from their responsibilities, which can lead to a drastic decrease in their efficiency and productivity.
Accidents in the workplace bring productivity to a halt. We’ve all heard that time is money, and it costs a lot of time and money to handle a workplace accident. When your employees are safe, they can focus on their work and avoid costly accidents.
Improve Employee Morale
Employees need to know that the company they work for values their safety. This not only gives them peace of mind, but it can also improve their morale, team work, and job satisfaction. When a company prioritizes safety, it lets employees know that they’re valued and protected.
Workers are more likely to remain at a company that ensures their safety. Reducing employee turnover rates is essential to building a team of experts and lowering the cost of hiring and training.
Read our related article to learn how to create a workplace onboarding checklist.
Lowers Costs
Accidents in the workplace can lead to medical bills, worker’s compensation, and high insurance premiums. On top of that, workplace accidents can also lead to costly legal troubles.
According to a recent study by the National Safety Council, workplace injuries cost companies $167 billion in the United States. Ensuring safety in the workplace can save your company a lot of money in the long run.
Comply With Legal Obligations
Companies have a legal obligation to eliminate potential hazards that could harm their employees. If a company is found guilty of negligence, they are held responsible for paying worker’s compensation, fines, and penalties.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires companies to provide a safe work environment for their employees. To avoid workplace accidents and legal consequences, employers should familiarize themselves with OSHA laws and regulations.
How Do You Encourage Safety in the Workplace?
It’s important to create a work environment where safety is encouraged at every level of a company. This will contribute to a work culture that’s rooted in positivity, efficiency, and mutual respect.
To encourage safety in the workplace, you can:
- Offer routine safety training programs
- Establish clear safety procedures
- Perform routine safety inspections
- Promote safety in the workplace at all levels
- Provide safety equipment like PPE, first aid kits, appropriate gear
- Maintain a comfortable climate by providing functioning HVAC and water
Employers have a unique responsibility to keep their employees safe. Although it’s up to the employees to practice safe behaviors, employers set the standard for safety in the workplace.
Read our related article to discover the importance of investing in employee development.
REDC—Helping You Achieve Safety in the Workplace
REDC at Yavapai College offers the courses your organization needs to effectively establish safety in the workplace. Whether you prefer the structure of in-person corporate training or the flexibility of self-paced online courses, we have what you need.
Check out our online Workplace Safety course today to see how you can establish a safe environment for you and your employees.