Once upon a time, manufacturers saw safety programs as either an annoyance or a punishment. Times have changed – now manufacturers see safety as a competitive edge. There are two ways in which having a safer environment can add to your bottom line.
The first is cost savings. According to OSHA, businesses spend $170 billion a year on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses, including workers’ compensation, retraining costs, absenteeism, and faulty product. These expenses come straight out of profits. Workplaces that establish safety and health management systems, however, have been found to reduce their injury and illness costs by 20 to 40 percent.
One study found that the most successful manufacturers incorporated three components in their approach:
- A formalized risk management strategy
- Investment in advanced technologies that integrate safety systems with the standard automation system
- A strong safety culture
Perhaps the most important of the three components is also the hardest to attain: creating a safety culture. According to Sustainable Plant, “Without the buy-in of everyone from upper management down, implementing an effective safety culture is difficult. Managers must develop relationships with the environment, health and safety practitioners in the plant, and help each individual understand the role machine and process safety plays in their plant.”
Vanguard Resources can help you conduct a risk assessment and develop a risk management strategy, and we can help you invest in safer technologies. Having a safer work environment will lead to better morale, lesser downtime, lower costs, and higher productivity. It’s truly a win-win for the company and your employees.
For help with making your facility safer and more productive, contact Vanguard Resources
Follow
