6 Key Benefits of Creating a Safe Workplace

If you own or manage a business, it's important that you focus on creating a safe working environment for your employees. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 3370 million on-the-job accidents occur each year, resulting in more than 2.3 million deaths. Businesses can protect their workers from injury- and illness-causing accidents, however, by implementing a workplace safety program. Here are six benefits of creating a safe workplace for your business.

#1) Lower Employee Turnover Rate

Employees are less likely to quit their job if you offer them a safe environment in which to work. If you force employees to work in a dangerous environment, they will naturally feel more inclined to quit and seek employment elsewhere. To prevent this from happening, you must provide your employees with a safe workplace.

#2) Fewer Lost Work Days

When an employee is injured or ill from an on-the-job accident, he or she may have to take the day off work (or several days off work). Statistics show that more than 2 million work days are lost each year because of slip-and-fall accidents -- and that's only a single type of injury.

#3) OSHA Compliance

With a safe workplace, you can rest assured knowing that your business is complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) rules and regulations. OSHA's primary goal is to create a safe workplace for the millions of hardworking men and women in the United States through regulatory action and compliance enforcement. Failure to comply with OSHA's rules and regulations can leave your business subject to fines.

#4) Better Reputation

The rate of worker injury and illness among your business's workforce can affect its reputation. If your employees frequently sustain injury or succumb to illness, your business will develop a reputation for being a dangerous place to work. On the other hand, if you foster a safe working environment with few or no work-related injuries and illness, your business will have a positive reputation.

#5) Protection From Legal Action

It's not uncommon for employees to pursue legal action against their employer for an injury or illness that occurred on the job. In fact, some businesses are forced to shut down because of legal action such as this. You can protect your business from legal action, however, by fostering a safe workplace.

#6) Increased Productivity

By creating a safe workplace, your business will experience higher productivity levels. Employees can work more efficiently in a safe workplace, simply because they don't have to worry about sustaining injury or succumbing to illness.