Workplace safety isn’t just a catchphrase or a box to be ticked. It’s an integral part of a company’s culture, impacting employee well-being and business productivity. As HR professionals, ensuring this safety often falls on your shoulders. HR can be the lynchpin in creating a secure working environment by understanding its importance, integrating it into company policy, and reinforcing its practices.
The Statistical Landscape of Workplace Injuries
Before delving into the specifics, let’s look at some statistics that underline the significance of workplace safety.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that businesses spend $170 billion a year on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses. This expenditure comes straight out of company profits.
- More alarmingly, the International Labour Organization estimates that every 15 seconds, a worker dies from a work-related accident or disease. That equates to 2.3 million deaths per year.
These figures are not just numbers; they represent the genuine risks that employees face daily.
The Role of HR in Safety Management
- Policy Formation and Implementation
The HR department plays a pivotal role in forming and implementing safety policies. These policies should be based on a thorough workplace risk assessment, considering both the industry-specific hazards and general risks. By collaborating with safety professionals and department managers, HR can ensure that policies are comprehensive and practical.
- Training and Development
A policy is only as good as its execution. HR must ensure that employees are adequately trained to understand and mitigate risks. This might involve formal training sessions, on-the-job training, or external courses. Periodic refresher courses should also be a norm to keep safety in employees’ minds.
- Reporting and Feedback
Employees must feel comfortable reporting hazards and near-misses for a safety-first culture to thrive. HR should develop anonymous reporting systems and encourage an environment where feedback is welcomed and acted upon.
The Cost of Neglect
Beyond the clear ethical reasons for ensuring workplace safety, there’s a tangible financial incentive for companies.
Direct costs of workplace accidents include medical expenses and legal fees, which can be astronomical. There’s also compensation for injured workers, which can further strain a company’s finances.
Indirect costs might include downtime due to the absence of injured employees, the price of training replacement employees, decreased productivity, and potential damage to the company’s reputation.
Most importantly, employee morale and engagement decline can directly result from inadequate safety measures. According to a 2016 study by the Queens School of Business and the Gallup Organization, disengaged workers have 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents, and 60% more errors and defects.
Ensuring a Holistic Approach to Safety
While addressing physical safety is essential, HR professionals should not neglect mental and emotional well-being. High stress, excessive workload, and workplace bullying can also harm employees.
A 2018 study published in the ‘International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health’ found a significant relationship between job stress and safety behavior, suggesting that higher stress levels can lead to decreased safety compliance.
HR professionals must ensure that systems are in place to address these issues, perhaps through counseling, workload management, or conflict resolution mechanisms.
Do States Regulate Workplace Safety?
Yes, states do regulate workplace safety. In the United States, while the federal agency OSHA is responsible for setting and enforcing national workplace safety standards, individual states also have the option to run their own state-based OSHA programs. These are known as “State Plan” states.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Federal OSHA: This applies to most private-sector employers and workers nationwide. OSHA’s rules serve as a baseline for workplace safety, and all states must, at a minimum, meet these federal standards.
- State Plan States: These states have OSHA-approved job safety and health programs. State Plans must set standards that are at least as effective as federal OSHA standards and may have additional requirements. As of my last update in January 2022, there were 22 states (plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) with OSHA-approved State Plans covering both private sector and state and local government workers, and five states (Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, and New York) with State Plans that cover only state and local government workers.
- State Regulations Outside OSHA: Even in states under federal OSHA jurisdiction, individual states might have laws and regulations about workplace safety for specific issues or sectors. This means employers must be aware of both federal and state regulations.
Employers must comply with the applicable regulations, whether they are federal or state-mandated. State regulations can vary significantly, so it’s essential for businesses operating in multiple states to be familiar with the specific rules of each state in which they operate.
Be Proactive with Policy
Workplace safety is not just the responsibility of a safety officer or manager. It’s a collective responsibility, with HR professionals being at the forefront. By understanding the significance of safety, being proactive in policy formation, ensuring adequate training, and fostering an open environment for feedback, HR can significantly reduce workplace injuries and cultivate a culture that values the well-being of its employees. The rewards for this, both ethically and financially, are immeasurable.
Workplace Safety Training Courses
Many training courses are available for HR professionals about workplace safety. Given the integral role HR plays in promoting and ensuring workplace safety, various organizations offer courses tailored to their needs. Here’s a rundown:
- OSHA Training: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a range of training courses and educational programs to help businesses understand and comply with their safety and health responsibilities. While these aren’t HR-specific, they are essential for safety management.
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): Often recognized as one of the leading bodies for HR professionals, SHRM sometimes offers courses or webinars related to workplace safety, especially regarding HR’s role.
- National Safety Council (NSC): The NSC offers various safety training programs that can be valuable for HR professionals, ranging from first aid to workplace violence prevention.
- HR Training Centers: Many centers or platforms dedicated to HR training offer courses on workplace safety. This can range from the basics to more advanced topics, such as handling workplace violence or promoting mental well-being.
- Local Community Colleges and Universities: Many higher education institutions offer workplace safety and risk management courses, which can be valuable for HR professionals.
- Online Learning Platforms: Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on workplace safety. These platforms often allow for flexibility, enabling HR professionals to learn independently.
- Specialized Consulting Firms: Many safety consulting firms offer tailored training for organizations, focusing on their needs and industries. This is particularly useful for industries with unique hazards, such as construction or chemical processing.
- Workshops and Conferences: Throughout the year, various workshops and conferences focus on workplace safety. These events can be excellent opportunities for HR professionals to learn about the latest security trends, tools, and best practices.
When selecting a course, HR professionals should consider the specific needs and risks associated with their industry and workplace. Additionally, they should ensure that the training course or provider is reputable and that the content aligns with current safety standards and regulations.
