Companies of all sizes and industries have workplace dangers that threaten the health and safety of employees. Employees are a company’s most valuable asset. Developing a culture centered around safety not only protects the well-being of each individual, but also results in savings and benefits for the organization.     

What are some key benefits of a safe workplace?  

1. Improves employee satisfaction. When employees work in a safe environment they can focus better on their job with lower stress. Understanding safety best practices also improves employee confidence levels when performing job related duties. 
2. Increased productivity. Minimizing workplace injuries improves productivity. If an injury occurs productivity is halted to address the situation. Productivity can be impacted long-term if the employee needs time off to recover, and additional staff need to be hired and trained to cover their duties. 
3. Saves money. If a company has a high safety rating it can result in lower premiums for corporate insurance. A comprehensive safety training program also protects the company from a compliance standpoint. 
4. Improves quality. Companies that prioritize safety are often more efficient and have less employee down time, which results in higher quality products and services. 
5. Improves retention. When employers value the safety of their employees and provide a safe work environment and proper training, their employees  are less likely to leave. 

What elements are important to improve the success of your safety training program?   

1. Interactive. Offering training in a variety of styles and formats helps with engagement. Some content presents well in video, while other more specialized content may be better suited for group or even one-on-one training, providing the opportunity for questions and feedback.  
2. Flexible. With more and more employees having flexible schedules, having flexible training options helps to ensure the success of the program. Many safety training programs are available online, such as BLR’s Training Today. These online options offer videos that break down topics into short segments that employees can complete in 20-30 minutes, from any device with a web browser. Each video includes a short test to confirm the employee was trained and understands the content.
3. Relevant. Different training topics may be relevant for different groups of employees. It helps to segment your team so you can define a safety program that really resonates with each person and feels useful. 
4. Ongoing. Most people learn and retain information best when it is broken down and presented in smaller pieces. Mapping out a plan for the year and holding monthly or regularly scheduled safety trainings that are focused and centered around specific topics will help ensure success. Having an ongoing safety initiative will also help to promote a culture of safety, which is the ultimate goal.     

What are some key things to address to improve workplace safety?

• Safety team. Have a team or individual responsible for making sure the safety program is being implemented and documented properly
• OSHA Requirements. Make sure you are current on all OSHA standards. OSHA is a federal law, but some states have their own OSHA laws. These state laws take precedence over the federal law.
• Clear warnings. Post warnings where appropriate noting safety best practices
• Proper equipment. Make sure all equipment and devices are installed and checked regularly to ensure they are in proper working order
• First aid. Make sure first aid kits are stocked and easily accessible
• Emergency plan. Have an emergency evacuation plan in place that includes an offsite meeting location    

Watertech is proud to have a culture centered around safety.

Watertech has taken considerable time to develop a safety program that delivers information to employees on a monthly basis and is relevant to each person’s role. Having a team that has been trained in proper safety procedures and practices ensures not only their own safety, but also the safety of our customers. We are proud of the safety culture we have built and look forward to continuing on this journey.