Should safety be a moral obligaiton?

Many feel that maximizing safety in the workplace is a moral obligation. Managers and owners should work with employees to create a safe working environment just because it's the right thing to do. The government should stay out of it.

Others argue that depending on high morals for workplace safety is not enough. Too many managers and owners ignore safety and don't care much about its impact on human life. Safety laws can deal with decision makers who show a willful disregard for their workers’ well-being by subjecting them to penalties in line with their crimes.

Here in the quiet state of Idaho we occasionally hear rumblings that safety is a luxury. We also hear local business people say that the cost of work-related injuries is just another “cost of business” to be factored in with pavement upgrading and roof repair.

Finally, we hear loud cries from a few about the audacity of government to dare to impose safety regulations on America, the land of the free.

The reality is that competition, pricing, availability of materials, productivity, and quality do not need to wipe out a deep and abiding concern for the health and welfare of employees.

You don’t have to choose between good work and a safe workplace. Your employees will work together if you give them a chance to identify the safety quirks at your business and take steps to correct them.

Instead of trying to get by without getting caught or brushing off the impact of any penalties, you’ll meet and exceed OSHA and industry safety standards. Why? Because you know that nothing works better for you than a safe, healthy employee.

* Are you getting tired of safety regulations at your business?

* What can employees do to raise the standard for safety?

* How can you get the attention of top management to pay more attention to worker health and safety?

jg