New Year Safety Goals

As we transition into the new year, it’s an excellent opportunity for companies to set workplace New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions can set a positive tone for the year, focusing on goals that enhance safety, boost employee morale, and improve overall productivity.

The Importance of Workplace Safety

• Staggering Statistics: In 2020, around 1.8 million workplace injuries and over 4,000 fatalities were reported, highlighting the critical need for robust safety measures.
• Financial Impact: In 2021, work injuries led to significant wage and productivity losses, totaling $167 billion.
• Benefits of Safety Programs: Implementing effective safety protocols can not only reduce injuries and fatalities but also decrease workers’ compensation claims, medical expenses, and OSHA fines. Additionally, it can enhance employee morale and productivity.

Goal Setting with EHS (Environmental Health and Safety)

• Learning from the Past: Reflect on the previous year’s safety successes and failures to identify improvement areas.
• SMART Goals: Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set clear and attainable safety objectives.
• Tracking Progress: Establish KPIs like injury rates, safety training completion, and safety audits to monitor improvements.

Suggested New Year’s Resolutions for Workplace Safety

1. Educate on Hazard Types: Inform employees about physical, biological, chemical, and ergonomic hazards.
2. Maintain Clean Workspaces: Reduce the risk of injuries and fires by keeping work areas tidy and organized.
3. Daily Safety Practices: Reinforce safety routines, visible signage, and reward safety excellence.
4. Equipment Maintenance: Regularly review maintenance checklists, starting with critical equipment like extruders.
5. Return-to-Work Plans: Develop plans to reintegrate injured workers, reducing recovery time and costs.
6. Equipment System Evaluation: Conduct assessments for cost savings and improved client outcomes.
7. Zero-Tolerance Safety Policy: Enforce strict safety protocols and encourage reporting of safety issues.
8. Prevention and Protection: Prioritize protective measures and ensure awareness of safety protocols.
9. Avoid Shortcuts: Maintain thorough incident records, including near-misses, for continual learning and system improvement.
10. Support and Wellness: Monitor workloads, promote work-life balance, and encourage use of vacation time for mental well-being.

Implementing Your Safety Plan

• Building a Safety Policy: Start with a solid foundation, which can be daunting but essential.
• OSHA.com Training: Utilize available resources like OSHA.com for comprehensive safety training, including 10-hour to 30-hour courses tailored for general industry and construction.
• Proactive Approach: Ensure that employees are well-trained in safety protocols as a primary step in starting 2024 safely and productively.

Setting and following through on these resolutions can lead to a safer, more efficient, and more positive work environment. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about fostering a culture that values safety, health, and overall well-being.