Survey shows workers largely unaware of employers' safety efforts

Fewer than one-quarter of office workers surveyed would know what to do in the event of a hazardous material exposure. In contrast, more than half of managers said they were very or somewhat prepared for such an incident.

Those are among the findings of a survey pointing to gaps in office workers' awareness of their company's safety plans and preparedness. Staples.com recently released the results of a survey of 412 respondents from small businesses with less than 50 employees.

While 70 percent of managers said their company has an emergency communication plan, nearly half of office workers were unsure if a plan existed or said their company does not have a plan, according to the survey. Half of office workers said they participate in safety drills once every few years or never while only 19 percent said their company is prepared for a major medical emergency.

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There was also a significant difference in terms of the awareness of safety supplies. Managers were almost 50 percent more likely than non-managers to be able to locate their company's defibrillators, eye wash, dust masks, and caution and wet floor signs.

There was relatively good news about fire safety. More than 70 percent of managers and office workers felt their company was somewhat or very prepared.

However, only 50 percent of employees felt their company was adequately prepared for flooding. The National Weather Service Forecast Office said flooding causes more damage in the U.S. than any other severe weather-related event, according to the report.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

August 2, 2012

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