If someone were to ask you why safety is important, how would you respond? You may "know" that it's important to keep safety in mind as we go about your daily activities, but how would you explain the reasons why this is the case. Here are some things to think about.
Why Safety Is Important in the Workplace
Companies that employ workers have an interest in keeping the workplace safe. Job-related injuries are something that responsible employers avoid. They take the time and use company resources to make sure that the people who come to work each day are safe.
They may offer on-the-job safety training or have safety procedures included in their company policies. In some workplaces, a person or a group of workers are designated as the company safety team. These people are responsible for ensuring that the premises are in compliance with safety regulations set out by law.
Not only does this make good sense from a moral standpoint, but it also makes good financial sense. If a worker is injured on the job, it costs the company in terms of lost man hours, increased insurance costs, workers' compensation premiums, and legal costs.
Productivity is lost when other workers have to stop doing their job to deal with the situation. Even after the injured worker has been sent home or taken to hospital, other employees may be distracted or need to take time off from work in the aftermath of the incident.
Safety Programs Make Good Business Sense
When a workplace is safe, workers feel more comfortable and confident when they are in that environment. Productivity gets a boost, and profit margins follow suit. Absenteeism also drops when employers take steps to implement an effective safety program.
Investing in a good safety program brings with it other benefits too. When employees feel safe in the workplace and absenteeism rates are kept down, they can focus on serving the company's customers properly. Many companies offer products or services that are similar to those that other companies carry or provide. Customers will decide which companies they want to deal with based on which one they feel provides the best customer service. Increased absenteeism means longer wait times and customers are quite prepared to move on to another company they feel will be able to help them in a more timely manner if they are not getting the level of attention that they deserve.
Everyone in the workplace has a duty and a responsibility to do whatever they can to keep the working environment safe. Employers need to know and understand the safety regulations that pertain to their industry and make sure that their premises are up to standard. Workers can do their part by understanding the procedures the company wants them to follow on the job and following them. If they see or encounter something that is out of the ordinary, there should be a procedure in place so that it can be reported to management and deal with promptly. Managers should deal with employee concerns about safety issues in an appropriate manner.
Final Note
That, in a nutshell, is why safety is important in the workplace. Workers want to do their jobs in a safe environment so that they can concentrate on doing the best job possible. Responsible employers understand that a safe workplace improves the company's bottom line. There are advantages to running the business in a safe manner, no matter which way you look at it. To do otherwise would simply be irresponsible.
