| all business owner, you are a risk taker. There is | | | | health hazard exposures. There needs to have a |
| excitement and challenge in such a venture, but | | | | safety and health management system. It is not |
| to succeed you need good management | | | | difficult to develop such a plan. Basically, the plan |
| information, an ability to be a good manager of | | | | should address the types of accidents and health |
| people and the intelligence and inner strength to | | | | hazard exposures that could happen in the |
| make the right decisions. From unnecessary risk | | | | workplace. Because each workplace is different, |
| taking, thousands of workers die each year and | | | | the program should address the specific needs |
| many suffer injury or illness from conditions at | | | | and requirements for the business. |
| work. | | | | There are four basic elements to all good safety |
| How often does an owner or manager actually | | | | and health programs. These are as follows: |
| see work-related deaths, serious injuries or | | | | 1) The manager needs to lead the way, by |
| illnesses in the workplace? In some small | | | | setting policy, assigning and supporting |
| businesses, the answer is rarely. For this reason, | | | | responsibility, setting an example and involving |
| many owners or managers do not understand | | | | employees. |
| why there is controversy about the government | | | | 2) The workplace needs to be continually analyzed |
| having occupational safety and health agencies | | | | to identify all existing and potential hazards. |
| with enforceable laws. But others have learned | | | | 3) Methods to prevent or control existing or |
| why; unfortunately, they have experienced a loss. | | | | potential hazards are put in place, maintained, and |
| These owner/managers will tell you that it is too | | | | updated. |
| late to do anything once a serious accident | | | | 4) Managers, supervisors and employees need to |
| happens. They have learned that prevention is the | | | | be trained to understand and deal with worksite |
| only real way to avoid this loss and unnecessary | | | | hazards. |
| risk taking. | | | | Regardless of the size of the business, the plan |
| Reducing losses and risks are goals that you as an | | | | should use each of these points to prevent |
| owner or manager must set in assuring the | | | | workplace accidents and possible injuries and |
| safety and well being of all in the business. Small | | | | illnesses. Developing a workplace program following |
| business owners and managers place a high value | | | | these four points is a key step in protecting you |
| on the well-being of your employees. Family | | | | and your workers' safety and health. If you |
| members and personal acquaintances may be | | | | already have a program, reviewing it in relation to |
| part of the business and even hired employees | | | | these points should help you improve what you |
| will become almost like family as time goes by. | | | | have. |
| Investing in safety and health activity now will | | | | Following this four-point approach to safety and |
| better enable you to avoid possible losses in the | | | | health in your business may also improve |
| future. | | | | efficiency. It may help you reduce insurance |
| Nobody wants accidents to happen in the | | | | claims and other costs. The plan will certainly give |
| workplace. A serious fire, a permanent injury, or | | | | you a way to express and document your good |
| the death of an employee or owner can cause | | | | faith and commitment to protecting your |
| the loss of profit or even an entire business. To | | | | workers' health and safety. |
| prevent such losses, you don't have to turn your | | | | This approach usually does not involve large costs. |
| business upside down. You may not have to | | | | Developing a health and safety protection plan |
| spend a lot of money, either. You do need to use | | | | does not have to be expensive and generally |
| good business sense and apply safety prevention | | | | does not require additional employees, especially in |
| policies. There are reasons why accidents happen. | | | | smaller businesses. Safety and health can be |
| An accident always has a cause and a reason | | | | integrated into your other business functions with |
| why. Once you know why an accident happened, | | | | modest effort on your part and will become part |
| it is possible to prevent future incidents. | | | | of the daily routine. |
| The business needs a plan to prevent accidents. | | | | The key to the success of a safety and health |
| Not all dangers at the workplace depend on an | | | | plan and program is to see it as a part of the |
| accident to cause harm, of course. Worker | | | | business operation and to see it reflected in the |
| exposure to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of | | | | day-to-day operations. Once implemented, the |
| noise or even radiation may cause gradual illness | | | | safety program will become second natured to |
| over a long period of time. There needs to be a | | | | the owner as well as the employees. |
| plan that includes prevention of these unseen | | | | |