In the American Society of Safety Engineers News, Diane Hurns submitted an article entitled “Reducing or Ignoring Workplace Safety During Business Downturns Costly, ASSE Notes“.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) based in Des Plaines, Illinois is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. The article addresses recent reports that some companies are cutting safety processes hoping to reduce costs. The president of the ASSE, Warren K. Brown, states that “Workplace safety processes must be in place at all times, they are even more critical during business downturns”. He also makes a point that “If companies believe they will save money by reducing or ignoring safety for their workers, customers and communities they do business in, they are wrong”. This is because money cut from safety processes will have a profound cost in the future, including injury, health care costs, fines, lost production time, employee morale or even employee death. Investing in safety contributes positively to a company’s bottom line. Businesses spend about $170 billion a year on costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses and pay almost $1 billion every week to injured employees and their medical providers. President-elect of the ASSE South Carolina Chapter adds “In order to remain viable long-term, a company must maintain a solid safety process. The most successful companies in the long term have the strongest safety performance”.

The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) is another reason for companies to think twice before cutting their safety budget. One example from OSHA’s code of federal regulations is 1910.265(c)(3)(iv) that states “Nonslip floors. Floors, footwalks, and passageways in the work area around machines or other places where a person is required to stand or walk shall be provided with effective means to minimize slipping.” Another example is 1910.261(k)(7) that states “Plank walkways. A removable plank shall be provided along each press, with standard guardrails installed. The planks shall have nonslip surfaces in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section.” Fines for not complying with OSHA regulations can be millions of dollars and set a company back immensely. It is more cost effective to use preventative measures by installing the correct non slip flooring than to pay later with fines, or even worse a workers life.

Times are tough, and if a company is going to remain strong, they can’t let their safety program fall to the side. Maintaining a proactive safety plan will help keep workers safe and will prevent further company loss.

The American Society of Safety Engineers. 18 Dec. 2008. 13 Jan. 2009

http://www.asse.org/newsroom/release.php?pressRelease=1162

Filed under: Safety Tips, Workplace Safety by Beth Faraci Social tagging: occupational safety > safety budget > workplace injury