Are Your Employees Disposable?

How Many is Too Many?

Imagine these headlines:

“Only 50 Newborns Dropped at Birth Yesterday”
“Banks Incorrectly Deduct only 12,000 Checks per Day”
“Hospitals Report only 200 Incorrect Surgical Procedures This Week”
“Banner Year for Airlines: Only 50 Planes Fell from the Skies”

Americans would be in an uproar…and well they should be! Each of those headlines is totally unacceptable! Yet, those are statistics we would read if those industries sustained only a 1% (or less) occurrence rate.

What if we transfer that idea to the workplace? How many injuries are acceptable? Is it okay if only 10 people are injured at your company this year? If so, which 10 people would you choose to be injured? Are your employees disposable?

Those are important questions! It is doubtful that owners and supervisors would openly admit that 10 injuries are acceptable. However, how many are committed to an Injury Free Environment?

Let’s answer two important questions: Is it possible to have an Injury Free Environment? If so, how do I create an Injury Free Environment?

Is it possible to have an Injury Free Environment?

An Injury Free Environment is dependent upon three key elements:

Supportive Leadership. If owners, managers and supervisors are not sold on an Injury Free Environment, it will not happen! Upper management must personally care for the safety of employees, and must be positive role models in implementing and sustaining the safety program. Supervisors/managers must not be afraid to back off of production if safety is compromised.

Personal Commitment to Safety. Every employee, from the owner to the newest and/or least paid worker, must be committed. Each employee must also accept responsibility for personal safety and that of co-workers. Management must commit to adequately train every employee.

Free and Open Lines of Communication. Employees must be comfortable identifying and reporting safety concerns to management. There must be no fear in doing so. (In fact, giving workers an incentive to report safety concerns is a good idea!) Address employees’ concerns and provide feedback regarding the corrective actions taken. Emphasis on preventing injuries is proactive rather than reactive.

All employees should be invited and encouraged to be a part of implementing and sustaining an Injury Free Environment. Without 100% involvement and 100% commitment from every person in your company, it will be difficult to achieve your goal.

How do I create an Injury Free Environment?

Most injuries (about 80%) can be eliminated with common safety practices. To eliminate the remaining 20% requires a shift in mindset! Note these common Safety Paradigms:

It won’t happen to me!

Production is more important than safety.

We can’t make everything “idiot proof.”

We are already safe enough.

Compare those paradigms with the three key elements listed above. Do you see the conflict? An Injury Free Environment requires a complete shift in the way that safety is viewed!

According to the National Safety Council, 96% of all injuries are caused by unsafe acts and/or unsafe conditions. Unsafe acts occur because employees don’t value safety (until they are injured)! Unsafe conditions come into play because workers (including upper management) don’t take the time to inspect the worksite, tools, etc and correct deficiencies. This calls for a shift in mindset!

That shift in mindset is actually the re-establishment of a VALUE. A value is a principle that guides a person’s actions, behaviors and attitudes. If I “value” my friends, I honor them and treat them kindly. If I “value” others’ rights, I treat them with respect. If I “value” good health, I avoid things that are not good for me. If I “value” safety, I am on the look out for things that might hinder my well-being and that of my co-workers. That is the goal!

If you are a regular attender of CBR’s Safety Webinars, you have received valuable information regarding establishing these values in your workplace. If you are not a regular attender, click here for information about our next Safety Webinar. It is easy to attend (via internet), and it is free to CBR clients. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to learn how to make your worksite safer and save your company money.

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.