Like most people, I hate doing things I
dislike or am forced to do. There just isn’t any enthusiasm or passion.
I remember when I was growing up, I had to cut the grass and weed the
sidewalk. I hated it, but I knew that the consequences were not going to
be good when my dad got home from work. It seems like it took forever to
get the mowing and weeding done, and all the while my friends were going
by on the way to the swimming pool.
Sometimes, it seems that a Safety Program
is like the mowing and weeding. It is something that needs to be done,
but there are so many other things that seem more critical or important.
This is one of the reasons why OSHA compliance is so difficult. It is
something you have to do, not something you want to do.
That’s why they call it compliance and
that’s why they have to send out Compliance Officers. Companies who
equate OSHA to a Safety Program will never have an effective Safety
Program. They usually do just the minimum to get by, and if they don’t
believe OSHA is a threat, they will do even less.
When you are in business, it is much more
likely that the things that contribute to the success, growth and
profitability of the company get done and are not nearly such a burden.
Those activities that bring value to the company achieve a high priority
and generate more passion and enthusiasm. That is why the Want To
activities are easier than the Have To activities.
Activities that contribute directly to
the success, growth and profitability of the company usually fall into
the Want To category, whereas compliance items fall into the Have To
category. With the advent of Group Rating in Ohio, many companies have
come to realize that implementing an effective Safety Program shouldn’t
be a Have To, but a Want To.
With savings up to 93%, a good Safety
Program contributes directly to the success, growth and profitability of
the company. It brings value to the business and should certainly be
worth the time and effort it takes. A good Safety Program also protects
the company’s most valuable assets – its employees, property, equipment,
production capability, financial strength and good company name. I work
for companies that are not eligible for a Group Rating Program. These
companies can not work hard enough or fast enough to turn their Safety
Program around because they see the cost savings benefit.
Although I believe there is a need for
OSHA and there will always be companies that need their services,
compliance will always be a Have To. Do the right things to protect your
business and your employees. This is the real reason to have an
effective Safety Program. Make safety a Want To instead of a Have To.
You will have a much better Safety Program and it will not be nearly the
burden. Safety is good for your company and good for your employees. It
is a win-win situation.
If you have any questions or need any
assistance with your Safety Program, please give me a call at
1-800-356-1274.
