| Winter 2008
Get Safety Tips from the Pros
Our cover story features three policyholders who earned recognition from Texas Mutual’s loss prevention department for their model safety programs. Dennis Steel, Refinery Terminal Fire Company and K Marketing (DBA Longhorn Propane) keep their employees safe and on the job despite the unique hazards of their industries.
Of course, most of us do not spend our days working with heavy steel, fighting fires or hauling highly flammable propane. That doesn’t mean we can’t learn something about safety from these three policyholders. Here are eight tips anyone can use to control workplace accidents.
- Remember the potential payoff. Good safety records can result in reduced claim costs, lower premiums, higher productivity and potential dividends. For every dollar you invest in safety and health, you can potentially get $4 to $6 back.
- Believe that every accident is preventable. Workplace accidents are not an inevitable part of doing business. If you buy into that philosophy now, you can set your safety program up for long-term success.
- Make safety part of your company culture. Employees should know that safety is as important as quality and production. No deadline is more important than your people’s well-being.
- Get them off on the right foot. Train new employees to recognize and avoid the hazards of the job before you let them start working.
- Follow up. Conduct regularly scheduled follow-up training for all employees. The training should address new hazards and refresh previous training.
- Involve your employees. They are more likely to embrace the safety program if they have a stake in it. Ask employees to help you create and improve the safety program. Recognize employees who demonstrate a commitment to safety.
- Consider a drug-testing program. Substance abusers put themselves and their co-workers at risk of being hurt on the job. Pre-employment, random and for-cause testing can help clean up the problem. Talk to an attorney before you launch a drug-testing program to make sure you comply with all applicable laws.
- Use your free resources. Any Texas Mutual policyholder can use the free safety resource center. Visit it to correct the root causes of workplace accidents, download written safety programs, and get DVDs, videos, pamphlets and other training materials.
COMPNEWS - Winter 2008
Award Winners Invest in Safety
Get Safety Tips
from the Pros
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