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Uncorrected hazards can cost the company thousands of dollars in fines, lost worker time and workers' compensation fees. Safety inspections lead to more safe and healthful work environments for everyone.
Both the tasks of hazard assessment and hazard correction lead to responsibility. If there was a problem or there were problems; the person in charge-either the business owner or even a shift foreman-fixed the problems properly and assumed responsibility for making the environment safe once again.
Unfortunately, despite even the most stringent safety programs, accidents and workplace fatalities still occur. Accident investigation is an essential component of a workplace safety program that addresses those accidents and fatalities that do occur and helps to prevent future incidents.
An investigation, performed either internally or externally by a regulatory or government agency, should identify the root cause for the incident. Was there adequate training? Were identified hazards not taken seriously at the time they were reported? Were safety regulations just ignored? These questions will most likely be answered by an accident investigation.
An investigation should also take place when a "near miss" accident occurs. The Federal Aviation Administration, for example, requires an investigation when two planes in the sky or on a runway get too close to one another and almost collide. A "near miss" might just have been a stroke of luck, and those involved might not be so lucky next time.
Just because there is no injury or fatality, does not necessarily mean all safety procedures were followed. That means an honest, open investigation is still warranted to protect everyone in the workplace, to ensure all safety guidelines are being followed and that there are proper safety procedures in place.
The best way, however, to keep your workplace accident and fatality is to properly train employees in the company's safety policies. They also need to know how to identify hazards and correct violations as they see them.
Employees need to know they can come to management with their valid complaints without fear of retaliation or unwarranted disciplinary action. Employees also need to know they will not be harassed by their peers and be subject to unwanted "peer pressure" just because they were brave enough to come forward and identify something that made the work environment unsafe.
If all these steps are being followed, that means the work environment will be a safer place. Employees can be recognized for keeping the work area safe and free from hazards. Safety incentive programs can be as simple as verbal praise or as complex as games and prize giveaways to consistently safe employees.
The down side to not being in compliance with safety standards is that injuries can occur. Injuries usually affect those who are very new on the job, as their lack of experience makes them very vulnerable to hurting themselves. But injuries can also affect those who have been on the job the longest, have never gotten hurt and have become complacent with the attitude, "It hasn't happened to me yet. Why would it happen now?"
However, the whole point is that it can happen and with terrible consequences.
If an accident or fatality happens in the workplace, it needs to be accurately documented on paper. The scene needs to be re-created verbally, and witnesses need to be interviewed to determine what exactly went wrong. While this overlaps with the investigation phase, it is everyone's best defense, especially if the incident moves into legal circles.
Finally, the last area of an essential workplace safety program is communication. Those following standards need to be told. In turn, those not following standards also need to be aware of what they are doing wrong as they can hurt or kill themselves or others. Also, company owners and supervisors need to make sure they communicate both positive and negative messages to their employees to ensure nothing horrific happens in the workplace.
The number of fatal work injuries has been steadily dropping in this country since 1994, and with more stringent laws and companies with safety and hazard contingency plans in the works, the hope is that number will continue to fall to zero.
Shel Segal is a freelance writer based in Fontana, CA.
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