My goal is to find a Safety Forum which debates these two questions below:
I wonder how much more progress we could make if we used Safety Performance Indicators to evaluate success and reduce TRIR 6% annually.
For those in the "know" OSHA's enforcement activity is down 7.4 percent in the first five months of FY 2018, compared to the previous year. Instead of taking all necessary steps to reduce workplace illness, injury and death, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other critical agencies are being required to operate with fewer resources.
For Example: Federal OSHA now has just 875 inspectors to cover over 9 million U.S. workplaces. This is the lowest number of inspectors in the 46-year history of the agency. It will take 158 years, with current resources, for OSHA to inspect all workplaces under its jurisdiction.
The median fine imposed on a worker’s life is $7,500 per each employee by federal and state OSHA following a workplace fatality. Despite a pressing need for more health and safety enforcement, training, consulting and regulation, the 2019 federal budget proposal from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget would zero out two critical programs.
First: The Susan Harwood Training Grants, a $10.5 million OSHA program which allow unions, workers’ centers, employer trade associations, universities and other qualified organizations to provide health and safety training to vulnerable workers and hard to reach populations.
Second: The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, “Global Estimates of the Burden of Injury and Illness at Work in 2012,” Vol. 111, 2014 – Issue 5 4 National Employment Law Project. As workplace safety enforcement continues to decline political debates continue to ignore, "March 2019 AFL-CIO, “Deaths on the Job Rates".
Which just adds to a total neglect of April's 2018 National Employment Law Project, as workplace safety and enforcement efforts continues to decline. While politicians give little or no thought to the important issue of rising healthcare cost in the US.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, budget of $11 million in FY 2018 is used to investigate major chemical explosions and leaks, focusing on root cause analysis that prevent future major chemical incidents.
These two programs represent the tiniest fraction of a proposed $4.75 trillion federal budget, However both have a large impact on the increasing cost of healthcare.
I have a total agreement with the way you present the situation of OSH policies and the way they are (not) implemented. I could describe equivalent situation in Europe and in France particularly.
I suggest you to have a look at the following presentation where you will see examples of what could be done (including in SMEs) and what is done, taking not into account the respect due to (wo)men at work:
Presentation Strategic foresight in occupational exposure: Preparing the ...
Just to begin addressing your question, all accidents are not preventable. However we can reduce the possibility of occurance when we take OSHA procedures and regulations into serious consideration.
The following link provides a comprehensive discussion about OSHA in minimizing accidents and safeguarding the wellbeing of employees in the workplace.
https://zotapro.com/blog/osha-in-the-workplace/hat is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses on safe and healthy work conditions. They enforce standards for different workplace sectors which include general principles of safety as well as more workplace specific standards for fields like medicine. In cases of new issues, OSHA also oversees research about new rules. Simply put, provide a place to work without known physical hazards.
Increases Employee Productivity
According to a study conducted by the University of Warwick, employee happiness led to a 12% spike in productivity. One essential way to build happiness among your employee base is to provide them with a healthy working environment. Feeling unsafe or not cared for is a simple way to lower productivity. Benefits of productivity for employees include:
Impressing your customersProviding superior service and boosting loyaltyBuilding a strong culture among your employeesBoosting morale among staff you’ve invested time and money withProviding better incentives to your employees as the company does betterSpending less money on employee training and recruitmentKeep your reputationKeeps Your Employees at Work
OSHA regulations help reduce future incidents by identifying potential hazards, reviewing safety procedures with employees to make sure they are well-known, and recordkeeping information about events. A safer environment keeps your employees at work by reducing the chances of accidents or health problems. Even if it means the safety of one additional person or the prevention of one accident, OSHA regulations, and standards or worth it!
Increases Your Overall Profitability
Looking to improve the way your business runs? When you follow OSHA standards, your employees can work without incident. A safe workplace shows that you care, boosts productivity, and even keeps morale high. When employees are happy, they are productive, and therefore profitable.
In the study conducted by the University of Warwick, a researcher Dr. Sgroi stated, “The driving force seems to be that happier workers use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality.” A happy employee doesn’t count the minutes until his or her shift is over, but instead actively participates in the workplace.
Whether it is a highly technical skill like working as a trauma nurse or serving meals in a restaurant, productivity gives your business a better reputation and increases profits. Profitability increases when you care about profitability.
Protects from Lawsuits or Legal Ramifications
OSHA sends inspectors to business locations for standards compliance and assessments. When your company passes inspections, documentation is provided. Personal injury lawsuits filed by workers are more difficult to defend if a recent inspection is on file. Instead of relying on a form of private enforcement and regulation through lawsuit filing, inspectors protect your business from lawsuits.
Even if lawsuits aren’t your biggest concern, accidents on the job also can cost you a great deal of money from the medical side of things. Keep everyone safe with OSHA.
Security issues are a must have. People should not be left unemployed with various excuses. People who are unemployed can cause the social structure to degenerate and illegal events. On the other hand, there are still a large number of businesses and countries that still do not take adequate measures in terms of occupational safety. In my opinion, serious legal sanctions should be applied on job security. Human life is more valuable than anything.
- Badges
- Science topic