C H E C K L I S T
5 Warning Signs You Need a Safety Footwear Program
A workplace safety program is one of the most effective solutions for preventing on-site accidents. Safety solutions can help protect your employees from potential dangers, improve your bottom-line costs and strengthen your company’s safety culture - ultimately driving productivity. Nevertheless, many companies don’t recognize or simply ignore the need for a safety program.
Each year, millions of workers in the United States face avoidable workplace risks because of a lack of well-planned and documented safety practices. Without a formal protocol, the likelihood that a serious accident will occur increases. Companies that invest in a workplace safety program report less accidents and boosted employee morale amongst other positive changes. With fewer accidents, companies can allocate additional time and resources to other parts of the business, improving efficiencies and creating opportunities for growth.
The following are 5 scenarios to help you assess your company's current safety initiatives and determine how a workplace safety solution can help you achieve your business goals.
1. Your employees frequently miss workdays due to injuries.
Every year, approximately 7 million people are injured at work. According to the National Safety Council, these injuries result in 99 million days of lost productivity annually. Most workrelated injuries require immediate medical attention followed by varying recovery periods. These recovery times can be days, weeks or even months depending on the severity of the injury. In fact, employees who take time off due to slip and fall injuries miss an average of 38 workdays. When an employee is unable to work for several weeks, there are many factors that must be considered. For example, you may have to spend additional time training him/ her on protocols that were updated during their absence. Additionally, the employee may decide not to return after an injury, requiring you to hire new talent – and sometimes with very short notice.
2. You spend too much money on workers’ compensation costs and medical expenses.
Occupational slip and fall injuries cost employers and employees $70 billion each year in workers’ compensation and medical expenses. Workers’ compensation insurance is critical for protecting your company and its employees. However, the amount of money you pay in claims each year can be significantly lowered with a strong safety solution. A managed footwear safety program, like the ones offered by Shoes for Crews, can help you reduce slip and fall costs by up to 80%. With these cost savings, your company can allocate funds to better support other parts of the business.
3. Your team is exposed to hazardous substances and/or slippery surfaces.
Many industries require employees to handle hazardous substances or to work in environments with extremely slippery surfaces. Today, about 32 million employees work with and are potentially exposed to chemical hazards that can contribute to serious accidents. Additionally, slip and falls on slick surfaces in the workplace account for more than 57% of all disabling injuries. Whenever employees are exposed to such life-threatening risks, there is a need for a safety solution to help prevent and minimize accidents. With a workplace safety plan in place, your company will be better equipped to protect employees from the dangers that may arise in hazardous environments.
4. Your industry is governed by OSHA’s safety rules and regulations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces industry-specific standards to ensure that employees work in a safe and healthy environment. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA rules and regulations to be compliant. Often, companies who operate without a workplace safety solution are non-compliant in at least one area – and your employees could suffer as a result. Today, only 27% of Chief Compliance Officers believe that their organization’s compliance function is equipped to both identify and incorporate regulatory and legal changes and to integrate those changes into their policies and procedures. Employers who establish safety programs can reduce costs related to injury and workplace illness by as much as 40 percent. A workplace safety solution can be used as an internal guiderail to reinforce OSHA’s standards and to ensure your company adheres to its rules.
5. Your company has a poor (or nonexistent) safety culture.
Your company’s safety culture can either positively or negatively impact your productivity, employees’ satisfaction, and yearly budget. A poor safety culture makes getting your employees engaged in both existing and new safety initiatives difficult. Without your team’s support, ensuring workplace safety and achieving your safety goals is nearly impossible. According to a study by Queens School of Business and the Gallup Organization, disengaged workers have 49% more accidents and make 60% more errors in comparison to other, more involved employees. Adopting a workplace safety solution, such as Shoes for Crews’ Corporate Safety Program, is key for companies who want to build a strong safety culture and create an atmosphere in which employees feel valued and protected. Strong safety cultures inspire employees to work harder and to be more alert to potential dangers – boosting the organization’s overall productivity and positively impacting its bottom line.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
At Shoes For Crews, we’re in the safety shoe business so you don’t have to be! With our proprietary slip-resistant outsole technology, we’ve protected millions of workers and lowered workers’ compensation costs for thousands of businesses worldwide. We are proud to be a trusted leader in safety solutions and are committed to ensuring your team gets home safe. If you’re ready to take the next steps, click here to learn more about our safety solutions!