The Best Way to Stay Safe on the Jobsite
by Christie Mendola
July 30, 2010
There are a staggering number of people seriously injured on
the job each day—totaling more than 4.6 million workers annually according to
the U.S. Department of Labor. Given that number, it’s easy for everyone to
agree that keeping workers safe and reducing workplace injuries are important.
But there are different schools of thought on how exactly to achieve that.
On one hand, some feel that more regulations and stricter fines
are the most effective ways to ensure employees are kept safe. On the other,
some believe that creating a company committed to safety, with employees fully
supporting safe practices, is the most effective.
Those who support the idea of stricter fines and more
regulations will be happy to know that OSHA recently introduced a new program
to help protect workers in all types of jobs. The program is called the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).
The SVEP program is designed to concentrate OSHA’s effort
more specifically on the repeat offenders—companies that are obstinate and show
a lack of concern for safety laws and regulations. The program will increase
the number of OSHA inspections for repeat offenders as well as increase fines
for those companies. Hopefully this program pushes companies to comply with
safety regulations out of fear of harsher fines and penalties.
In a news release announcing the program, OSHA stated that:
“For many employers, investing in job safety happens only when they have
adequate incentives to comply with OSHA’s requirements. Higher penalties and
more aggressive, targeted enforcement will provide a greater deterrent and
further encourage these employers to furnish safe and healthy workplaces for
their employees.”
This reasoning supports the idea that greater fines and
penalties are the way to reduce jobsite accidents and injuries.
OK, that makes sense. But is there more we need to do? Fines
and penalties may serve as motivation to ensure workers are safe, but that is
reactionary rather than proactive. We shouldn’t sit back and assume that
inspections and fines are going to fix all of our workplace safety and
compliance issues.
This is where the other side of the debate comes into play. Ensuring
employees are committed to safety is an important part of maintaining an
injury-free workplace. It’s not as simple as an employee signing a “contract
for safety” or a “promise of safety.” Employees should be given the opportunity
to take ownership of the safety program and feel that they play an integral
part in developing and maintaining that program. Then, they will be more likely
to follow and support the company’s safety regulations. A solid commitment to
safety may even cause employees to start suggesting safety improvements that
they feel are important in their workplace.
So which approach is better? Overall, I don’t feel that
either approach alone will solve the workplace safety issue. I think a
combination of fines and regulations paired with a stronger sense of ownership
for safety in the workplace will help reduce the number of workplace injuries
and accidents.
Companies need to feel the pressure of potentially large fines for
noncompliance. But they also need to demonstrate support for workplace safety
from the highest levels of management down. Through interaction and ownership,
employees are more likely to support a company’s safety program and practices.
What do you think?
Christie Mendola is a safety training
specialist for Emedco. Emedco is leading
supplier of safety products, including safety training and HR compliance
materials, safety reminder signs, certification cards and labels, electronic
scoreboards, and a variety of products for motivating employees.
Christie Mendola
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