Every industry and occupation has its own mythology based on misconceptions and assumptions that have taken root in the professional population. Some myths are completely harmless, but this kind of misunderstanding can have serious implications when it comes to offshore or workplace safety. Site operators and managers have an obligation to shed common misunderstandings about safety for the sake of their employees, the environment and the long-term viability of their company.
The ROI on Safety Training is Low
In business, every decision is weighed in the context of cost versus benefit. In the short-term, investing in comprehensive employee training and additional safety features can seem like a financial loss. However, integrating more effective safety measures into basic operations is more an investment than an expense. In fact, many employers report a significant return on safety investments that ultimately save the company money, improve employee retention and impact overall productivity.
Following OSHA Standards is Enough
The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides a regulatory foundation for safety protocols regarding offshore and land-based operations. While the agency’s rules do cover a lot of ground, they do not protect employers and employees from all possible hazards. Meeting OSHA requirements provides the minimum acceptable level of safety in the workplace. Business leaders should strive to exceed these standards when possible to ensure a safer and more productive work environment.
Safety Plans Should Follow Operational Strategy
While business leaders stay aware of applicable safety regulations when developing long-term operational strategy, they often wait until the end of the process to apply risk management to their plans. Rather than modifying the plan to meet minimum standards, decision makers should incorporate safety into every level of their business strategy. Making these issues a priority in overall management strategy supports a safety-oriented workplace culture and further limits risk.
Personal Injuries are Inevitable
Not all accidents are preventable, but the overwhelming majority of them are. Even unavoidable circumstances can also be mitigated if the workplace is fully prepared to address the crisis as it develops. Employers should always design their processes and operations to minimize overall risk by limiting exposure to hazardous environments, fully equipping staff with protective gear and fully training employees about key safety issues. In addition, by utilizing near-miss reporting and data from previous incidents as a part of your safety plan, you can identify gaps in your current plans that can help to mitigate and even sometimes completely prevent future accidents.
The Same Safety Plan Works for Every Situation
As your business grows, and new employees are added and new processes are implemented, your safety plan should be updated to not only reflect the changes in how your business functions, but to also include any new advancements made in safety. From new technology and automated solutions to best practices for near-miss reporting and data collected by your management team, your safety plan should be regularly reviewed and updated. An outdated plan could end up having more negative effects on the safety of your employees than positive ones,
Dispel the Myths and Make a Safer Workplace
Accurate information is the most important resource when it comes to achieving safety goals. Company leaders need to know the risks, the consequences and all their options for addressing these possibilities. As experts in offshore and industrial workplace health, the Pharma-Safe team can review your current safety plans and make recommendations or provide employee training for further improvement.
