3 Safety Management Stigmas and How They Impact Your Business
Safety management is an important part of any business. It's essential to have a health and safety management system (HSMS) in place to protect your employees, as well as ensure compliance with safety regulations. However, many businesses struggle with implementing and maintaining a successful safety management program. One of the main reasons for this is the perception that safety management is expensive, difficult, and time-consuming. In this blog post, we will discuss three common Safety Management Stigmas and how they impact your business.
This is perhaps the most common stigma surrounding safety management. Companies will look at the cost of implementation and can be overwhelmed by it. When you offset that with the fact that most employers are unaware of the sheer number of injuries that occur (as many go unreported without a proper safety management system) or the true cost of an injury both, directly and indirectly, the comparison seems straightforward.
The truth, however, is that an effective safety program can actually save your business money. When done correctly, a comprehensive safety program will help to reduce workplace accidents and injuries, which can lead to increased productivity and decreased insurance costs. In addition, a well-run safety program can help to improve your company's reputation, making it easier to attract and retain top talent, and ultimately contribute to your company's growth.
Another common misconception about safety management is that it is too difficult or time-consuming to implement effectively or in a timely manner. A health and safety management system is not a set it and forget it type of tool, it is forever changing and evolving with your business. While it can be challenging to create and maintain a comprehensive safety program, especially for small to medium-size businesses, it is not impossible. Like most things in life, repetition helps improve efficiency. A safety consultant can help guide you through proven processes, helping you to avoid costly mistakes.
In addition, there are many resources available to help businesses with developing and implementing an effective safety management system.
Some helpful resources are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) www.osha.gov website and the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) www.ccohs.ca for our Canadian clients, both offering a variety of compliance assistance materials.
This is perhaps the most damaging of all the stigmas surrounding safety management. The belief that safety is a waste of time, can lead to a lack of commitment from management and in turn employees. This will ultimately lead to an increase in accidents, injuries, fatalities, higher insurance costs, diminished reputation and eventually loss of business altogether. According to the 2021 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (WSI), workplace injuries cost U.S. businesses more than $1 Billion a week. In order to change this perception, it is important to educate employees on the importance of safety and how it benefits.
It is also important to remember that safety is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process. By continuously working to improve your safety program, you can help to create a safe workplace culture for your employees. When done correctly, safety is not a waste of time, but rather an investment in the future of your business.
While implementing a safety management program can be challenging, it is essential for any business regardless of the industry. By busting common myths and misconceptions, you can set your business up for success.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”-Robert Collier
If you are interested in learning more about how to implement a successful safety management system, contact us today. We would be happy to help you get started