Safety experts are full-time professionals who understand government regulations and ensure your business complies with them. They can give your company a fresh perspective and spot things internal employees may miss. Click Here to learn more.
They identify potential hazards and develop strategies to mitigate them. They also work to lower your Experience Modification Rate (EMR), an important figure for insurance companies.
Safety experts conduct risk assessments, identify potential hazards, and develop mitigation strategies. These strategies may involve changes to work processes, the use of personal protective equipment, and the physical modification of a workplace. They also monitor safety performance metrics, which helps them identify areas for further improvement.
Workers need to be informed of any risks and given clear instructions on how to work safely. They should also receive adequate training on any precautions they must take when entering dangerous areas and on any emergency procedures. In addition, a company’s health and safety risk assessment should consider whether national legislation requires certain control measures to be put in place.
An effective workplace safety management program includes an employee participation arrangement where workers can express their views and concerns to management on issues affecting their occupational health and safety. This can be achieved by establishing employee-led committees or providing anonymous reporting channels where employees can raise concerns without fear of reprisal. Regular surveys and suggestion boxes provide valuable feedback on how well these arrangements are working, allowing companies to address any problems before they become serious.
Having trained personnel to manage workplace safety is essential, especially as many safety managers are approaching retirement age. This creates an opportunity for newcomers to the field and seasoned professionals to step up to management positions. Having experienced managers in place demonstrates to employees that the company takes its commitment to worker safety seriously and can help to avoid any unnecessary claims against it.
OHS professionals need to carry out inspections of the workplace to identify any potential hazards. This can be done in a number of ways, from reviewing accident and ill-health records to carefully examining chemicals and equipment for signs of danger. In addition to carrying out these inspections, OHS professionals need to keep detailed records and write thorough reports. These records can be invaluable if there is a dispute over compensation following an accident in the workplace.
When assessing risks, employers should be clear about who could be harmed by the risk, including those not employed at the time of the assessment. This should not be confined to employees, but should also include contractors, visitors and members of the public. This will enable the employer to consider whether any specific group of people needs special protection, such as lone workers, the elderly or those with disabilities.
Improved Employee Morale and Productivity
When employees know that their safety is the company’s priority, they tend to perform better on the job. This not only improves employee morale, but it also makes the job more rewarding. Moreover, safety protocols help to reduce workers’ compensation costs, which boosts productivity as well.
Workplace injuries can be very costly, not just in terms of medical expenses but also in lost man-hours and reduced workplace productivity. To prevent this, Safety Experts create effective safety policies that are then enforced by trained and certified personnel who conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.
Safety experts work across a variety of industries and sectors. For instance, if your manufacturing business has a high risk of chemical spills or machinery malfunctions, safety professionals are the ones who will assess all possible risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Additionally, they will ensure that all safety regulations are strictly adhered to, protecting your employees and shielding you from potential legal issues.
In addition to creating safety protocols, safety experts can also train your employees on how to identify potential hazards and avoid them. This training can be done through workshops or webinars, or even in person. In the long run, this can significantly reduce the number of accidents and injuries, thereby improving overall productivity.
Keeping the workplace safe is a continuous process, which means that your employees need to be constantly reminded of what safety measures are to be followed at all times. Safety experts have the time and expertise to provide your team with these reminders, saving you the effort and cost of doing this on your own.
It’s important for frontline employees to feel that their voices are being heard when it comes to safety. In fact, a survey by YouGov found that 55% of US, 64% of UK, and 59% of AU frontline workers felt that they were never or rarely listened to when it came to discussing safety issues at work.
Safety experts can help to increase engagement in safety initiatives through regular meetings, open communication, and transparency. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where everyone feels like their safety is a top priority, so they can focus on their work without the distraction of worrying about their personal wellbeing.
Enhanced Reputation
Many people choose careers as safety professionals because they care about their coworkers and want to help ensure their physical well-being. They also know that a company’s reputation is tied to its health and safety record. Businesses that neglect safety can damage their image and make it hard for potential clients, partners and employees to associate themselves with them.
A safe workplace can be created by ensuring accountability at all levels of the organization. Management sets the tone by providing resources and leading by example. Employees are the frontline workers who implement safety procedures on a daily basis and can provide valuable feedback on areas of improvement. Encouraging open communication and employee input allows them to feel like they’re a part of the process, making it easier for them to buy into the system over time.
Developing an effective safety strategy involves identifying potential hazards, implementing safety measures, and training employees. This can be done through job safety analysis, toolbox talks and regular audits. By creating a culture of safety, companies can improve employee morale and productivity while building a positive reputation as a responsible business.
Reduced Insurance Premiums
As an added bonus, companies that emphasize workplace safety are likely to enjoy lower insurance premiums than their counterparts. After all, claims are expensive for any business, and those that pay fewer will save themselves both dollars and lives in the process.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true when it comes to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Many insurance companies calculate premiums using multiple factors, including payroll, company classification and a claim experience modifier. As a result, it can be challenging for companies to reduce their workers’ comp and general liability premiums. However, as a Risk Control Expert you can help them lower their premiums by encouraging them to use consistent training sessions, implement hazard identification and elimination strategies, and ensure they comply with all applicable safety regulations.
Insurers also look at how engaged employees are with health and safety practices, as they want to know that everyone is working together to minimise accidents in the workplace. This level of scrutiny is often welcomed by organisations, as it means they can get the best price on their insurance by showing their insurer that they have a proactive approach to health and safety.
Insurance market premiums are cyclical, and in recent years they have been quite soft. As a result, many waste companies have been able to purchase cheap insurance with little oversight. However, insurance market conditions are changing and this era of “cheap” insurance is coming to an end. This is why it is imperative that waste companies examine their operational protocols, address underlying issues, and take responsibility for their own safety culture.
Having the support of an on-demand Safety Expert can help you achieve these objectives. In addition, they can improve employee morale and productivity and reduce insurance costs. It is certainly a winning combination for your business, and one that will ultimately pay dividends during this hard market. So, don’t delay – contact a Risk Control Expert today and start saving on your insurance premiums. You’ll thank yourself later for this wise investment.
