OSHA – Industries Need to Move Toward Proactive Strategies

While it’s easier to sit back and complain about the direction that OSHA is moving in,  savvy companies are deciding to shift the focus of their safety strategies now.  The most effective method would be to place the greatest emphasis on prevention.
The new direction of OSHA should be more than enough to push any company to move toward prevention.  However, when making the shift there are key areas to focus on that are most cost-effective.

• Start bi-annual or quarterly physical testing.  Most employers do a fit test upon hire.  However, as the working population ages, employers find themselves digesting unrelated medical injuries that increase the severity of workers’ compensation claim.
• Do not take requests lightly.  Supervisors and managers need to be trained to not dismiss any request for the repair of equipment or for additional safety gear.
• Ensure that all employees use safety equipment and follow safety precautions.  More often than not seasoned employees have their own way of doing things. And although, their way may be quicker, odds are good they are not safer.

You are probably wondering why review safety strategies that are based on logic.  Well these tactics are designed to reduce injuries through prevention without increasing costs.  And you will need those cost savings because an increase in costs should be anticipated.

• Your compensation costs are going to rise, due to an increase in workers compensation claims.  OSHA has started aggressively pursuing companies for under-reporting.  Expect new guidelines to surface regarding what types of injuries should be reported, forcing companies to count more accidents as compensation claims.
• An increase in claims will usually lead to an increase in a company’s experience modification, which will in effect a company’s workers compensation premium for at least 3 years.
• Your compliance costs will probably increase.  The expected new director of OSHA, David Michaels, is well known for promoting ergonomics.  Plus, with his views on musculoskeletal injuries, the entire industry is anticipating an ergonomics standard.  Since ergonomics has been more of a recommendation instead of a requirement, most companies will need to spend money in order to comply with any ergonomics standard.

Businesses seem to be holding their breath, but the key to any safety issue is prevention.  The direction of OSHA has many in the industry terrified.  Still, staying a head of the game on prevention will give you one less thing to worry about.