People see their workplace as a second home. The bond they create with their co-workers, the ease and habitual procedure of their job and the everyday routine of being present in a familiar work place all sums up to what makes an employee loyal to a job. When security in these areas is disrupted, it can create tension and distrust among those involved.
Risks in the workplace are often unavoidable. Especially to jobs involving hard labor where there are more constant threats to health and physical safety.
Why is Workplace Safety Important?
- Safe workers turn out to be loyal workers. Form some, safety is a top priority when considering career decisions. Most people would rather stay in a job that is safe despite the lower pay rather than risking their life at a higher-paying but high-threat job.
- The workforce is the company’s most valuable asset. Without them, there would be no one to do the responsibilities needed to achieve the business goals. Without the workforce, there is no company.
- Safety can reduce company’s expense and disruptions. If there are no injuries or accidents, a smooth flow of operation continues generating more income. On the other hand, an accident will cause the company to pay the accidental expenses, not to mention the cost of disrupted operation due to lack of manpower.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) mandated companies to keep a record of any incident pertaining to workplace injuries, accidents, fatalities and illnesses. The OSHA regulations clearly indicate rules that will report any hazard under the form of the Voluntary Safety and Health Program (VPP). OSHA 300 provides an easy solution in reporting any incident while reducing response time to the reports.
During an incident, employees will fill out the 300 form with the details involved and send it electronically via a handheld device.
The reason behind this new rule is to expedite the processing of the reports to ensure that necessary responses are done immediately. Prior to the new regulations, companies submit fatality reports to OSHA through printed forms and sending these through snail mail or fax. It took a long time before OSHA could receive the reports and take necessary action.
Advantages of Using Electronic Recording
OSHA requires companies’ electronic recording of workplace incidents for several reasons.
- Fast response time can save lives. Death or accidents knows no time and can happen in a split of a second. If risky situations in the workplace are not attended to and eliminated, it can result to more people risking their lives. A more rapid response can immediately implement safety decisions to regulate hazardous situations.
- Immediate reporting can help companies avoid financial penalties. Companies understand that every second counts when it comes to making profits. When incidents happen, the time diverted to the situation can reduce the generating income capacities, lost of workdays for employees and penalties in insurance and even on safety violations. These consequences can be mitigated once proper safety procedures are set in place.
- Electronic records will produce more accurate and timely information. Up to date information are readily available thanks to real time and steadfast recording. Other companies and private professionals are more aware of current safety scores, giving them lesser risk in making more informed decisions during business dealings.
- Existing cases can support better safety procedures in the future. We learn from experience. Unfortunately, for some cases of workplace safety, most companies are unaware of the risks not until they experience it. Still, such case can be avoided if previous incidents are presented as support situations in creating a more improved safety regulation in the workplace.
- Employees are better aware of what is happening nowadays concerning workplace safety. Employee participation is crucial in making decisions involving them. When provided with accurate data, employees can offer observations and suggestions on how to enhance safety and minimizing risks in their jobs. It is important to include them given their first-hand encounters to these situations.
- The steadfast reporting process creates a culture of immediate reporting. Among the reasons why some employees fail to report incidents is because of slow responses. Some employees would rather keep mum on the situation than go through filing a report without any chances of immediate feedback. Once responses are given immediately, it can make employees feel of being heard.
OSHA aims to improve workplace safety among employees. A good understanding of what is going on in the workplace can help give more emphasis on the welfare and safety of the workers.
