Bringing Safety Home Pays Off In More Ways Than One
Practicing safety should not stop when an employee heads home from work. According to the National Safety Council, nine out of 10 fatalities and nearly two-thirds of disabling injuries to workers each year occur off the job.
From employee education to wellness programs, organizations of all types and sizes are beginning to understand that even modest efforts to carry over ideals of workplace safety and health to their employees’ homes and communities create an opportunity to reduce costs while resulting in a more satisfied workforce.
Read on to learn how some companies are bringing safety home.
Employees at a Minnesota-based paint manufacturer can purchase fire extinguishers at a reduced price from the company. A public utility in Louisiana holds safety events at flexible times so employees’ families can participate. A food manufacturer in Illinois provides homeland disaster prevention checklists and family readiness guides to employees. In Pennsylvania, the employees of a building products manufacturer promote safety topics at its annual Kids at Work Day.
These are just some of the many examples of how organizations throughout the country are bringing safety home. After all, with twice as many workers getting hurt in off-the-job incidents than at work, a comprehensive approach to identifying and reducing the causes of disabilities and fatalities can impact productivity and profitability. It also demonstrates an organization’s commitment to the health and welfare of employees and their families.
Why All The Attention On Off-The-Job Injuries?
Beyond the sheer number of off-the-job injuries and fatalities, employers lose nearly $38 billion each year due to
off-the-job injuries, research of the Home Safety Council (HSC) showed. These figures include medical payments,
wage replacement, lost productivity, tax payments toward police, fire and emergency services, and other costs.
“Educating employers and workers about the importance of home safety is especially important as many don’t realize some of the hazards that exist in the comfort of their own homes,” explains HSC President Meri-K Appy. “Every year, on average, there are almost 20,000 people who die in and around their homes as a result of unintentional, preventable injuries,” she says. “If people were more aware of the risks, they would take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
What Organizations Are Doing To Bring Safety Home
Each year, HSC recognizes one corporation with the Salute to Home Safety Excellence Award in
recognition of the company’s efforts to promote off-the-job safety in the workplace. In addition
to those examples noted previously, here is a sampling of other initiatives Salute to Home Safety
Excellence Award winners have implemented:
- Distributing monthly safety publications featuring seasonal tips and suggestions for improving employees’ home safety habits
- Offering radon testing kits to employees for use in their homes
- Sending batteries to employees’ homes and reminding them to test their smoke alarms monthly and change their batteries once a year
- Conducting seasonal informational meetings that highlight home safety issues such as Halloween and the installation of holiday lights
- Creating and distributing safety calendars featuring artwork from a children’s safety poster coloring contest
- Producing and distributing home safety manuals to all employees
- Posting a guide to family/home safety on the company’s website
- Demonstrating safe bike handling skills during a company picnic
- Providing free health screenings for employees
Start Bringing Safety Home Today
As these initiatives demonstrate, bringing safety from the workplace to the home doesn’t
have to involve a significant investment of time or resources. If your company already has a
workplace safety program, it can be as simple as integrating home safety information into your
current communications and training programs. For those without a structured workplace safety
program, start with simple fliers and posters to spread the word that safety is a 24/7 issue.
When you bring safety home, you’ll be doing something of value for your employees, their families and the health and welfare of your organization.
[Information cited in this article is courtesy of the Home Safety Council, National Safety Council and Occupational Hazards (June 13, 2006).]
