Laredo Examiners Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Sign up here to receive our free newsletter in your email.

This Newsletter is designed to provide general Occupational & Environmental information regarding Federal Regulatory Agencies. Different topics and issues will be discussed in other newsletters.

SAFETY & HEALTH PROGRAMS

Safety and health programs are recommended for all general industry businesses, but, at this point, are voluntary.

Accidents are more expensive than most people realize because of the hidden costs. Some costs are obvious — for example, Workers’ Compensation claims which cover medical costs and indemnity payments for an injured or ill worker. These are the direct costs of accidents.

But what about the costs to train and compensate a replacement worker, repair damaged property, investigate the accident and implement corrective action, and to maintain insurance coverage?

Then there are the costs related to schedule delays, added administrative time, lower morale, increased absenteeism, and poorer customer relations. These are the indirect costs of accidents.

The best Safety and Health Programs involve every level of the organization, instilling a safety culture that reduces accidents for workers and improves the bottom line for managers. The common characteristics of a safety and health culture are:

  1. Management believes that safety and health on the job is as important a company goal as other organizational objectives, such as cost control, quality, and productivity.
  2. Individuals within the organization believe they have a right to a safe and healthy workplace.
  3. Each person accepts personal responsibility for ensuring his or her own safety and health.
  4. Everyone believes he or she has a duty to protect the safety and health of others.

Contact Laredo Examiners, if you are interested in establishing a Safety & Health Program. This newsletter is not intended to provide legal advice. If your company is in need of legal advice, contact your attorney or Robert Moran, RN, COHN-S, Attorney At Law with Laredo Examiners, Inc. OSHA Authorized Trainers. Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialists.