The penalty for not making safety a priority at work can be steep for many employers. They may be liable for fines stemming from OSHA violations, workers compensation insurance premium increases or paying for damages related to a worker getting hurt. After an accident, a company may also have to deal with bad publicity that could impact the ability to hire top workers or retain current employees.
Employers of all sizes may have issues when it comes to worker safety. Properly training a new worker could come at the cost of lost productivity for days or weeks. However, treating a worker as a person and not a commodity is better for the long-term health of the worker and the company as a whole. Businesses that have poor safety ratings may not be allowed to bid for jobs, which can make it difficult to maintain a sustainable profit margin.
Listening to employees when they have concerns about safety or ways to make the workplace safer is invaluable. Even if an employer has a great safety program, employees must buy into that program. Allowing workers to take ownership of their safety reduces accidents and allows everyone to take an active role in establishing a true culture of injury prevention.
If a worker suffers an injury or gets sick from exposure on the job, he or she may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits allow a worker to pay bills and living expenses while out of work. Generally, employers are also mandated to pay for medical expenses related to workplace injuries. In some cases, benefits are granted permanently to those who cannot return to work.
