New online resource makes the case for safety, health programs

Companies looking to lower their workers' comp costs might want to check out a new online OSHA resource. The Injury and Illness Prevention Programs' webpage includes a soup-to-nuts guidance on creating an effective system to identify and correct workplace safety and health hazards.

The 2010 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index estimated the direct cost of the most disabling workplace injuries and illnesses in 2008 amounted to $53.42 billion in workers' comp costs, or more than $1 billion per week. Injury and illness prevention programs can substantially reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries and reduce the associated costs, according to OSHA.

The most successful programs include these key elements:

Management leadership.
Worker participation.
Hazard identification.
Hazard prevention and control.
Education and training.
Program evaluation and improvement.

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In addition, the topics page has examples of effective injury and illness prevention programs and case studies.

A section on making the business case includes factoids to help illustrate how investing in safety and health can improve an organization's financial performance. It cites information stating that workplaces that establish safety and health management systems can reduce their injury and illness costs by 20 percent to 40 percent.

For example, a plant with 50 employees was able to decrease production of a faulty product and save more than $265,000 through a strong safety and health program. Another entry says a forest products company saved more than $1 million in workers' comp and other costs between 2001 and 2006 by investing approximately $50,000 in safety improvements and employee training costs.

Another section includes resources to help employers estimate the costs of workplace injuries and illnesses. An interactive tool helps companies calculate the return on investments in workplace safety and health.

Finally, there is a section on implementing safety and health programs. A variety of tools and resources are explained.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

June 23, 2011

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