In today’s fast-paced and competitive workplace, smart organizations are prioritizing the health and safety needs of their workers. Occupational health and safety training is the basis for all workplace safety programs, and these frameworks can help guide companies through the necessary steps for keeping employees safe and saving money in the long run. The drawbacks of skimping on OHS are many and include fines for non-compliance, lawsuits, lost working hours and a lack of trust and engagement from employees. In this post, we’ll cover the many benefits of implementing a comprehensive OHS training program in the workplace.
Improved worker and safety well-being. As any good manager or business owner knows, healthy and safe workers are productive workers. OHS training provides workers with the skills and knowledge they need to identify and avoid hazards, use onsite machinery correctly and safely and protect their fellow workers and the public at large from harm. OHS training helps workers better understand safety protocols and procedures – as well as the need for them – and encourages employees to proactively contribute to maintaining a safe work environment. The result is fewer accidents, illnesses and injuries, and a reputation for a company among workers as a safe place to work, which helps with hiring and employee retention. Overall, this can save an organization a great deal of money, giving OHS training programs a good return on investment.
Compliance with the law. Most workplaces are governed by some level of worker safety rules and regulations as well as environmental regulations. A lack of compliance with these rules can be expensive, resulting in local, state or federal fines, and the costs of treating workers with any injuries that result from a lack of compliance. OHS training improves a company’s ability to follow safety standards and sets an example for employees to adhere to regulations, as well.
Better productivity. A happy, engaged workforce is a productive workforce. OHS training helps provide workers with the skills they need to recognize and address potential safety problems, boosting efficiency and confidence. When employees feel that their organization cares about ethics and their well-being, they are more likely to become loyal workers who remain in the company’s employment for longer and do their jobs to the best of their ability.
Enhanced company reputation. In the age of the Internet, workers and former workers are not shy about sharing their concerns about their employers online. A poor company reputation can damage the potential employee pool and make it harder to hire and attract quality talent. Openly demonstrating a commitment to safe work practices with OHS through training programs allows a company to cement a positive reputation as an employer dedicated to worker safety and business best practices.
Hire a Workplace Safety Consultant
Workplace safety consultants are experts in implementing programs that will help protect employees as well as companies from the consequences of unsafe behavior. These consultants can help train your personnel in safety processes and compliance, and help you build an enforcement program and a tracking program for any injuries that do occur during working hours.
In Southern California, Unishield has been providing businesses with the highest quality workplace safety training and compliance solutions for employers. In addition, Unishield offers first aid kits and medical supplies, first aid restocking services, industrial safety equipment, and portable emergency medical equipment such as the lifesaving AED (automatic external defibrillator). Call 800-480-5855 or visit our website for more information.