Reducing Workers Compensation Costs Is Everyone’s Responsibility
I was visiting with a manufacturer recently who was extremely frustrated over the fact that they had successfully implemented a safety program in accordance with OSHA regulations but were still experiencing worker injuries. In fact, their injury prevention program included aggressive safety training, hazard identification, and a major investment in OSHA compliance. Their workers compensation claim management program included drug testing, employee screening, prompt injury response and workers compensation disability management. They really felt that they were doing everything possible to prevent worker injuries and manage claims that do occur.
“Bill,” the owner said, “we just can’t figure this out.” We are doing everything right. Even your safety and health survey proves that structurally we are addressing everything that an organization like ours should do. My safety team is about to give up and accept the reality that workers compensation injuries are just going to occur here and we must accept them as a cost of doing business.”
“Can you afford to pay this cost?” I asked.
“Absolutely not,” the owner said. “We will just have to find other ways to cut costs to make a profit.”
It became perfectly clear to me that this organization overlooked the one thing that they absolutely must have to reduce workers compensation costs:
EACH EMPLOYEE IN THE ORGANIZATION MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY
Until each employee realizes the personal tragedy they and their families will experience if he or she is injured on the job and takes personal responsibility to work safe at all times they will carry around with them a little voice which says: “It will never happen to me.” But they are actually on borrowed time. It is all about winning the hearts and minds of every employee.
CompEraser will help your organization focus on safety training needs, areas of needed safety improvement, and provide a number of resources to help you win the hearts and minds of your employees. For more information go to www.comperaser.com.
