Safety Programs:
Are They Possible and
Do They Really Work?
“I don’t know how to implement a Safety Program.” “Safety Programs never work!” “Safety Programs are too difficult to maintain.” “We’re not against Safety Programs, we just need help putting it together!”
What are your thoughts about safety? What value does safety have in your company? Is it an important element, or is it an afterthought when someone gets hurt? Is safety something you work at, but find it difficult to implement and enforce? If you don’t have a strong safety program, is it due to lack of information? Lack of “know how?” Lack of direction?
Good news! CBR strives to be an active partner with our clients in making each company as efficient and productive as possible, and we can help when it comes to implementing Safety Programs that really work. Statistics prove that safe companies are more profitable than those with poor safety records. Particularly in lean economic times, the efficiency of your company may determine how long you remain in business. To be efficient, safety must be as great a value as quality and production.
Implementing a strong Safety Program that really works takes time, but it pays off financially for the company and for the employees. It also pays off in terms of morale, retention and efficiency, as well as many other ways. Following are a few things to know as you move forward in implementing or enhancing a Safety Program.
A Safety Program must be tailored to fit the organization. Not all companies have the same risks, and not all companies manage safety the same way. Some companies have employees who are already compliant with other company policies, some companies may need to train employees in what is expected of them. An “off-the-shelf” program will not work for most companies.
Ultimately, you must have “buy-in” from everyone in the company. Owners, management, line employees, and everyone in between must eventually be sold on safety. At implementation, the buy-in may not be 100%, but over time the goal should be that everyone plays a part. Empowering employees to be safe, and to make safety decisions that affect others is a must.
Everything does not have to be “perfect” to roll out a new Safety Program. Start right where you are! Do written procedures need to be put in place? Then start there. Do employees need to be informed about what the procedures are? Then start there. Do systems need to be implemented or improved? Then start there. The key is to start…but start with the most basic element!
Focus on “leading measures,” in addition to “lagging measures,” is most effective. In the safety field, we are seemingly programmed to focus on “lagging measures”…those that are reflected after accidents and injuries occur! For example, we look back at loss ratios to see the proportion of claims paid in comparison to premium paid. That measure is important, but it is “after the fact.” If we combine those measures with “leading measures,” such as the number of training sessions held, the number of observations made, the number of “near misses” reported and corrected, etc, then we will have a more balanced approach to safety. After all, prevention is the key to safety! So, let’s measure those things that lead to prevention of accidents and injuries, as well as those measures that tell us how we did after the fact.
CBR continues to offer resources to assist client companies in being successful! In terms of safety, the Risk Department offers many valuable tools and resources, most of which are mentioned on our website. Resources such as Safety Webinars are offered regularly. In addition, we are available to come to your office and/or worksites and work directly with you to plan and implement a strong Safety Program that really works.
For more information, check out our website, or contact the CBR Risk Department at 602-200-8500 x2012.
CBR is named the first PEO in Arizona to be honored as a BBB Ethics Award Finalist for 2006 and 2007. This award applauds employers as they strive to ensure that ethics remains a driving force in their business.
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What are your thoughts about safety? What value does safety have in your company? Is it an important element, or is it an afterthought when someone gets hurt? Is safety something you work at, but find it difficult to implement and enforce? If you don’t have a strong safety program, is it due to lack of information? Lack of “know how?” Lack of direction?
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