Plan, provide, and train. These are the three steps to increase safety and prevent dangerous falls, as recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — or OSHA. It should come as no surprise that strong safety policies include the prevention of injuries — and it should also come as no surprise that these policies have tremendous benefits.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has specific recommendations and policies to help guide companies in keeping their employees safe. And these have made a huge difference! In 1972, for example, there were roughly 11 incidents or work related illnesses or injuries, per 100 workers. In 2011, however, these incidents had decreased all the way down to about three per 100 workers. This statistic simply demonstrates the importance of safety policies, as they make a huge difference in keeping employees safe.
One of the most important ways to help keep workers safe is through training, such as fall protection courses. These help employees to truly understand the importance of safety. Workers can learn what they should do in certain situations to stay safe and prevent any falls or injuries. While OSHA has rules, such as fall arrest limits to a distance of six feet, simply implementing these policies is not enough. Workers need to understand how these policies keep them safe, and what they should do while working under dangerous conditions. With fall protection courses, or other forms of training, workers begin to better understand how to prevent falls. Most importantly, they learn how to protect themselves.
And there are other tools and benefits, too! With protection devices, such as wire rope slings and fall protection equipment, workers will be kept safe. Here’s a list of reasons safety benefits companies overall:
- Reduce Costs. By improving safety features and safety training for employees, companies can save money. Between OSHA fees and paying for worker injuries, a lack of safety policies can become expensive — and ethically unsound. For example, safe lifting equipment will help to prevent injuries for workers who use the equipment. By keeping these workers safe, companies avoid having to pay for any medical treatment that result from the use of unsafe equipment.
- Happy Workers. With safety as a company’s priority, employees become much more confident. And confident employees are happy to work, and even become proud of their work. Teaching proper material handling, for instance, allows workers to better understand how to remain safe when dealing with difficult and even dangerous materials. By feeling protected and safe, they will be more confident and less likely to make mistakes that could lead to additional costs.
- Quality Work. Quality of work is always important. The previous benefits are strongly linked to this one, as confident workers generally perform better at work, which reduces costs. If a company provides proper safety equipment, employees are able to use it to ensure that work gets done quickly, efficiently, and safely.
Thus, safety should be a company’s number one priority. Workers will feel more confident, perform better, and reduce costs when they are properly taken care of and kept safe. So, invest in the proper safety equipment and fall protection courses. Provide the proper training. Maintain employee safety. Any business will be better off for it.
