Michael Sicking

CommunicationCommunicationCommunicationCommunication

How well do you communicate with your employees?

OSHA states that as part of your cooperative agreement that you must demonstrate a clear management commitment to the importance of employee safety.

What methods do you employ?

Owners and employees both need to know the long term cost of an injury

Do your employees have any knowledge of the financial implications of an accident?

OSHA has a website worksheet page called “Safety Pays” on it’s main website.

http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/safetypays/index.html

It is a way for you the employer to see examples of what the long term cost of an injury are and educate your employees so they can see that safety is a lot more than hard hats & safety glasses.

Are your employees aware of what are the cost associated with an OSHA citation?

Following is a list of the most common OSHA citations, but it should be known that the OSHA fines are just the beginning of the true cost of an accident.

Hazard Communication

Duty to have fall protection

Training requirements

Respiratory Protection

Head protection

$600

$3,000?

$1,700

$700

$1,700

Average fine

Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use.

Ladders

Eye and face protection

Scaffold related

Average Fine

$1,000

$1,500

$1,300

$1,600

What are Direct cost?

Direct, or insured costs for accidents are usually considered those costs covered by workers compensation insurance and medical costs for the accident. The company pays insurance to cover these costs. The average direct costs depend on the nature of the injury or illness

What are Indirect cost?•Any wages paid to injured workers for absences not covered by workers' compensation

•The wage costs related to time lost though work stoppage

•Administrative time spent by supervisors following accidents

•Employee training and replacement costs

•Lost productivity related to new employee learning curves and accommodation of injured employees

•Replacement costs of damaged material, machinery and property

Examples of common injuries in the Masonry Industry

Crushing

Electric Shock

Physical injury from Fall

Concussion

$45,272

$49,799

$95,071

$995,984

CRUSHING ( Caught Between)

Direct Cost

Indirect Cost

Total Cost

Assuming a 5% profit margin you will need this amount of business just to break even on the indirect cost of the injury

Physical Injury from ( FALL )

Direct Cost

Indirect Cost

Total Cost

Assuming a 5% profit margin you will need this amount of business just to break even on the indirect cost of the injury

$58,607

$64,467

$123,074

$1,289,354

Shock ( Electrical)

Direct Cost

Indirect Cost

Total Cost

Assuming a 5% profit margin you will need this amount of business just to break even on the indirect cost of the injury

$86,448

$95,092

$181,540

$1,901,856

Concussion ( Struck By )

Direct Cost

Indirect Cost

Total Cost

Assuming a 5% profit margin you will need this amount of business just to break even on the Indirect cost of the injury

$68,456

$75,301

$143,757

$1,506,032

You should not be afraid to share this type of information with your employees

�As the owner or manager of a small business, your attitude toward job safety and health will be reflected by your employees.

�Involve your employees as much as possible in your Safety Efforts!

�You must have clear safety policies and demonstrate the willingness to utilize disciplinary policies on a fair and consistent basis.

What can you do?

�Lead by example! . If, for instance, you require a hard hat, safety glasses and/or safety shoes in an area, wear them yourself when you are in that area even if you are there for a brief moment.

�Make sure that your support is visible by getting personally involved in the activities that are part of your safety and health program. For example, personally review all inspection and accident reports and ensure that follow-up occurs when needed.

� Give those with safety and health responsibility enough people, time, training, money and authority to get the job done.

� Don't forget your safety and health program after you make assignments; make sure the job gets done. Recognize and reward those who do well and correct those who don't.

�You should consistently embrace feedback from managers, supervisors and employees on tactics necessary to achieve these goals. Employee involvement is usually accompanied by a sense of ownership, and ownership solicits greater commitment.

�At least once a year, review what you have accomplished in meeting your objectives and re-evaluate whether you need new objectives or program revisions.

�Institute an accountability system where all personnel will be held accountable for not following work rules designed to promote workplace safety and health.

Ignoring your safety & health program is no different than leaving your yard gate open at night when you leave!