Workplace Safety Program: 3 Proven Keys to Protect Workers

Every organization needs an effective workplace safety program, because safety and health must be a top priority in all work settings.

According to OSHA, more than 3.6 million serious injuries or illnesses and over 5,000 deaths occur on the job each year.

Furthermore, the 2020 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index states, “Disabling workplace injuries cost businesses more than $59 billion per year.”

A lack of proper safety measures puts your employees and your organization at risk. A well-designed workplace safety program is one of the most effective ways to reduce that risk.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is currently running the Safe + Sound campaign to encourage all workplaces to implement a safety and health program that fits their specific needs.

According to the campaign’s overview, some of the benefits of a safety and health program include preventing workplace illness and injury, reducing injury-related costs, improving legal compliance, and increasing productivity.

An effective workplace safety and health program requires a systematic approach to addressing safety concerns, training, ongoing communication, and buy-in at all levels.

Key #1: A Systematic Approach to Your Workplace Safety Program

The Safe + Sound campaign emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent workplace illness and injury. Instead of only addressing problems once someone is hurt, everyone should carry out routine procedures to identify and resolve safety concerns.

Depending on your industry, procedures may include daily equipment inspections, surveying of the job site for hazards, and/or routine employee evaluations.

In addition, all organizations should plan for emergencies and nonroutine events such as inclement weather, fires, power outages, and workplace violence.

Policies and procedures for incident reporting should be defined in advance to ensure that all work-related injuries and illnesses are properly documented and investigated. Finally, the workplace safety program itself should be routinely evaluated for its effectiveness.

Key #2: Ongoing Training and Communication

Having safety and health policies in place does not equate to actively promoting safety in the workplace. Making all new hires read and sign an acknowledgement of these safety and health policies also does not equate to actively promoting safety in the workplace.

Promoting safety in the workplace requires routine training and open communication among all members of your organization.

The Concentra article, “10 Simple Steps to Improve Workplace Safety,” by Michelle Hopkins puts training at the top of its list. It states, “Comprehensive training is a must for preventing workplace injury. Make sure that all of your employees have access to – and complete – all safety training for their positions.”

If you have ever been given an online training module to complete, you would understand the temptation to daydream, check your phone, online shop, or do just about anything besides pay attention to the training. Measures must be in place to ensure that everyone completes and pays attention to safety training.

Additionally, safety training should not be a one-and-done occurrence. Routine training and follow-up keep safety at the top of everyone’s mind and convey that it is something that your workplace truly values.

As stated above, promoting safety requires communication between employees and management at all levels. Everyone must know how to report incidents, concerns, and suggestions and should feel comfortable doing so.

OSHA’s Safety and Health Programs overview states, “To maximize participation, [in a safety and health program], however, workers must feel free of any fear of retaliation or discrimination (e.g., for reporting an injury or hazardous conditions).”

Hotline and case management systems such as Red Flag Reporting allow employees to easily and anonymously share their concerns, knowing that their reports will go to the right person. An anonymous reporting channel gives your workplace safety program a way to surface hazards that employees might otherwise keep to themselves.

Key #3: Buy-In at All Levels

Everyone should be a stakeholder when it comes to promoting and maintaining a safe workplace. OSHA’s Safety and Health Programs overview defines roles for both management and workers.

Those at the top must lead by example to demonstrate a commitment to the program. They must always practice safe behaviors while working and must consider safety when planning and decision making. Management should also reward employees who demonstrate safe work practices – recognizing safe behaviors rather than low injury counts, which can discourage employees from reporting.

Workers should be involved in the creation of the workplace safety and health program and all policies and procedures. Experienced workers often know more about safe practices and potential hazards than management.

OSHA recommends that workers participate by developing and evaluating the program, defining safe work practices, training coworkers and new hires, analyzing hazards, and reporting incidents.

Building a Workplace Safety Program That Lasts

In summary, it takes commitment and collaboration between all members to promote safety in the workplace. When management leads by example and prioritizes safety in planning and decision making, employees know that their health and wellbeing is valued.

In return, employees feel empowered to make safe choices and to express concerns and suggestions for improvement to management.

An effective workplace safety program protects your organization and everyone involved.

Strengthen Your Workplace Safety Program with Red Flag Reporting

Not a client of Red Flag Reporting’s hotline services? As a leading hotline provider, Red Flag Reporting gives your employees a safe, anonymous way to report hazards and concerns 24/7/365. Contact us to learn how our hotline services can protect your organization and your people.

[More important considerations on employee safety – see our article here.]

Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Safety Programs

What is a workplace safety program?

A workplace safety program is a proactive, systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness. Rather than reacting after someone gets hurt, the program builds safety into daily operations through leadership commitment, worker involvement, training, and ongoing evaluation.

Why does every organization need a workplace safety program?

According to OSHA, safety and health programs help organizations prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, improve compliance with laws and regulations, reduce costs (including workers’ compensation costs), engage workers, and increase productivity. With more than 5,000 workers killed on the job each year, no organization can afford to leave safety to chance.

What are the core elements of an effective workplace safety program?

OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs identify seven core elements: management leadership; worker participation; hazard identification and assessment; hazard prevention and control; education and training; program evaluation and improvement; and communication and coordination among host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies.

How often should employees receive safety training?

Safety training should happen when employees are hired, whenever job duties, equipment, or hazards change, and on a routine basis afterward. Some OSHA standards set specific schedules – for example, the bloodborne pathogens standard requires training at least annually for covered employees. Regular refreshers keep safety top of mind.

How does an anonymous hotline support a workplace safety program?

Employees will only report hazards, near misses, and unsafe behavior if they feel free from fear of retaliation. An independent, anonymous hotline such as Red Flag Reporting gives employees a confidential way to speak up 24/7/365, so concerns reach the people your organization designates before small problems become serious injuries.