9 Key Reasons Why Safety is Important in Your Business

Did you know that in the U.S., one workplace injury occurs every seven seconds? That’s about 12,600 work-related injuries a day, or a whopping 4.6 million injuries a year!

What’s even worse is that employers could have nipped many of these accidents in the bud. If only they have enforced better workplace safety policies.

These facts should be enough to highlight the importance of safety in workplaces. Unfortunately, a lot of employers still fail to provide their people with a safe place to work.

That said, it’s best that employers go back to the basics of why safety is important in the workplace. That’s exactly what we’ll discuss in this post, so be sure you keep reading!

1. The Top Reason Why Safety is Important in the Workplace: It Can Save Lives

In 2017 alone, workplace accidents claimed 4,674 lives in the private sector. One in every five of these fatal accidents occurred in the construction industry. Across all sectors, however, falls were the leading cause of worker deaths.

Falls are only one of what the OSHA calls the “Fatal Four” accidents. Getting struck by an object, electrocution, and getting caught between objects or equipment are the other three. OSHA believes that preventing these accidents could save the life of at least 582 U.S. workers every year.

That alone already shows the importance of safety in the workplace.

2. It Reduces Risks of Injury-Causing Accidents

While not all workplace accidents are deadly, they still cause major injuries. In fact, in 2017, the private sector saw 2.8 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses. That means 2.8 injuries or illnesses occurred in every 100 full-time workers!

What’s more, almost a third — or 882,730 cases — of these injuries and illnesses led to days away from work. That’s loss of productivity right there! But what’s worse is that these workers went through pain and suffering due to a preventable accident.

This should already tell you how vital workplace health and safety policies are. Mastery of safety skills brings your workplace one step closer to being accident-free. Check out this resource to find out more about the most crucial safety skills in the workplace.

3. … And Potential Medical and Hospital Expenses

Worker injuries and illnesses cost businesses in the U.S. more than $1 billion a week. In 2018, the most disabling injuries to workers alone cost companies $58.5 billion.

Many of these injuries and illnesses forced workers to miss at least six days of work. Meaning, these hazards caused not only medical and hospital costs — they also led to income loss.

That said, make sure you put employee safety on the forefront of your business policies! This way, you can avoid facing high medical and hospital costs. More importantly, this gives your people a safe place to work in the best of their abilities.

4. It’s All Employers’ Legal (and Ethical) Responsibility

Employers are under a legal obligation to provide their workers with a safe workplace. This law is part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). All private sector companies should abide by workplace safety law.

Failure to comply will result in criminal penalties, including monetary fines. In some cases, offenders can even face imprisonment!

5. Employees Have One Less Stressor to Worry About

Gallup’s 2019 Global Emotions report reveals that the U.S. is home to some of the world’s most stressed out folks. So much so that 55% of American respondents said they “felt a lot of stress” the day prior to the survey. Health, health care, and finances are some of their most common stress triggers.

These three stressors are closely tied to workplace safety. After all, workers spend over a third of their day toiling away at work. If they feel that their health and safety is at risk at work, they will no doubt feel even more stressed.

As such, helping keep your people’s stress levels down is another importance of safety at work.

6. Fewer Stress Triggers Can Help Boost Productivity

Speaking of stress, did you know that it can exhibit through at least 50 different symptoms? Many of these “show up” as physical pain, including headaches, body pain, and even chest pain. Stress, however, can also cause mental issues, including a decrease in productivity.

Since stress can affect one’s mental faculties, it’s a must to help your employees feel less stressed. Show them that you care about their well-being by complying with the workplace safety law. The safer they feel while on the job, the lower their risks for added stress.

7. Higher Productivity Means Better Output and Higher Profits

Of course, productive employees also benefit your business. Higher productivity levels mean better work output and prompt project or task completion. All these can then pave the way for a more profitable organization.

8. Workers Are More Likely to Stay Happy Working for their Employer

With fewer work stresses related to safety, your people will be happy to return to work the next day. Meaning, you can keep absenteeism rates low, which again, boosts productivity and profits. In short, your hard-working employees will be happy to keep working for you.

9. … Which Then Helps Keep Turnover Rate Low

Every year, employee turnover costs U.S. companies around $160 billion. Granted, a higher paycheck is often the cited reason. However, many also quit their jobs due to a lack of workplace safety.

After all, workers need to be able to trust their employers. If they think that the workplace puts their safety at risk, it won’t be long before they quit. If they feel their job is already affecting their health, they are more likely to pack up their stuff and leave.

Keep your talents where they are and help them grow — alongside your business. Make them feel that they are safe by making sure everyone follows safety protocols.

Make Workplace Safety Your Top Priority Now

There you have it, all the major reasons why safety is important in all workplaces. Remember, your people are the lifeline of your business, and without them, you can’t operate. That’s why as early as now, be sure to update your safety policies and keep the workplace free of accidents!

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