How To Protect Your Workforce and Lower Your Operating Costs

Originally Posted on bizjournals.com

Too often we get caught in a mindset that overlooks simple solutions that may significantly reduce operating costs. One prime example is worker safety — something that, when prioritized, protects employees and leads to long-term savings and productivity gains.

We tend to think of worker injuries as problems for only high-risk industries like construction, transportation and security. Yet preventable workplace injuries occur daily in every sector, from financial services to hospitality to retail.

The impact is staggering to families, society and the economy. In 2023, 4.53 million preventable worker-related injuries occurred at a cost of $167 billion, according to the National Safety Council. That equals 108 million days of work lost.

When it comes to accidents, the majority are caused by unsafe behaviors, not unsafe conditions. These types of behaviors are both commonplace and numerous, and include ignoring safety signs, not wearing personal protective equipment and lifting improperly.

The good news is that you can put in place strategies to enhance your workplace’s health and safety management. Stopping unsafe behaviors at work requires a proactive approach that combines understanding why workers make unsafe choices, worker self-awareness, training and habit formation.

To start, at the heart of any successful safety management program is a culture that promotes and rewards safe conduct. Savvy business leaders create an environment where safety is prioritized at every level of the organization through encouraging open communication, providing regular safety training and recognizing and encouraging safe behaviors.

Why do people engage in unsafe behaviors? It’s often because risky behavior can feel more convenient and comfortable and rarely results in injury. Workers engage in unsafe behaviors for many reasons, such as:

• Unclear safety directions
• Lack of personal experience to guide appropriate behavior
• No negative consequences from engaging in risky behaviors
• Building habits that desensitize the person to the risk
• Believing they can control the outcome of certain risky behaviors
• Attempting to save time or effort to meet deadlines
• Encouragement from peers or a workplace culture that rewards risk taking

When rewards are expected and the risks are low, human nature tends to prevail and people take the chance. You can’t fight human nature — you need to work with it as your business develops safety policy and rules.

Think about a painter on a tall ladder, stretching precariously to paint a wall, which can lead to the ladder slipping and the painter falling. To do the job safely, he should descend the ladder and move it to prevent overreaching. Because it’s inconvenient and takes time to move the ladder, he decides to overreach and move the ladder fewer times. The key is to identify why a worker feels the need to take risks. It’s the job of the supervisor to ensure every worker knows that safety is the No. 1 priority.

After understanding the “why,” identify patterns of unsafe habits including skipping safety protocols, rushing tasks and taking shortcuts. The management team should prioritize safety over productivity, even if it means slowing down the process. Over time, safe behaviors will also lead to efficient work.

Focus on one behavior at a time and ensure every member of your team is trained on all safety protocols related to their job and every workstation is properly stocked with all safety equipment. Create visual reminders such as signs placed in multiple locations to follow safety protocols. Help your team to form safe habits by recognizing and rewarding safe behaviors. Workers are more likely to comply when information comes directly from their manager, so hold those in a supervisory position accountable for enforcing workplace safety.

When you take these small steps to prevent worker injuries, your business can realize a host of benefits. Besides the obvious reduction in injuries, you can lower or eliminate OSHA fines, decrease worker turnover, and reduce insurance costs.

Are you looking for a way to empower your workforce and improve their safety? Visit Builders Safety Academy where you can find OSHA-authorized training, safety consultation, safety resources and learn more about Builders’ world-class commercial business insurance.

Dana Blose, Builders loss control director and head of its Safety Academy, has 40 years of experience in insurance. He consults with independent agents, general industry and construction professionals on jobsite safety. A military veteran, Blose is a trained industrial engineer and authorized OSHA instructor for general and construction industries.