A How-To for Establishing a Corporate Safety Program

The first step is making sure everyone is on the same page with corporate safety. Training programs, posted signs and periodic safety audits will ensure that the expectations established by the company are being met. Don’t leave safety checks to quarterly events or following an incident. Conduct inspections throughout the day to keep employees personally involved in promoting a culture of safety.

There is a right way and a wrong way to establish safety precautions. What you may think is important may not be your greatest safety exposure, so it is best to have a risk assessment done prior to putting your safety plan in place. Once you know your risks, you can establish a risk and claims management system that relies on best practices for reduced expenses. Paperwork filing, in-person contact with the injured party or having dedicated staff addressing and verifying claims can help the process move more efficiently.

Once an injury occurs, it is essential to have a plan in place that addresses the situation quickly. Ignoring or delaying on giving the injured party or a claim the proper attention could make the situation worse, both in terms of healing and compensation expenses. Your culture of safety should clearly identify how injuries are to be reported, though supervisors are most often the first level of involvement. These individuals should know where to find the paperwork and how to file it promptly. Employees should feel comfortable reporting their injuries and seeking medical attention.

Bringing new people onto the team can spike the risk for accidents but starting a safety incentive program can help new hires catch on more quickly to the safety expectations. Mentoring relationships between seasoned employees and new hires or incentiving within a group or department can also encourage new hires to be more aware of and invested in safety protocols.

Staying connected with injured employees helps reduce costs of workers’ comp claims, and following up with a return to work program is another step in controlling injury claim costs. Your company has lower costs when employees have healed from their injuries enough to be able to return to work (at some level) and earn a paycheck. Constant contact with employees at home can keep employees feeling they are still a part of the team but it also allows employers the insight needed to limit potential abuse of the workers’ comp system.

Depending on the classification of your business, the state where you operate will have rules for workers’ comp coverage. There may also be rules concerning the rates you pay for insurance, but there could be discounts available. Companies who implement a corporate safety program and are able to lower reportable incidents often receive lower rates.

One of the most overlooked ways of reducing safety expenses is evaluating employee classifications. First of all, knowing the risks and hazards of each job assures that the right personal protective equipment has been issued and training in use and maintenance has been provided. This a crucial step in keeping employees safe. Secondly, the costs of coverage vary by classification, with those in more hazardous positions costing more than those in an office position. Verifying classifications can save a lot of money.

Establish a company-wide safety incentive that rewards everyone for taking responsibility for reduced injury reports. Awarding extra paid time off, cash prizes, raffles or other rewards will go a long way in encouraging consistent engagement with safety protocols and awareness. Make sure your involvement expectations are clear when devising a reward system.

When reportable incidents are lowered, your insurance company may offer a discount or rewards with the workers’ comp policy. However, your policy costs may also be adjusted based on how many employees you have. There are different insurance options available, such as large-deductible or guaranteed cost policies. Shopping around for the best rates can save you money.