December 9, 2002—Just over 50 percent of those participating in a recent American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Instapoll question—”Do you believe that corporate management is committed to workplace safety and believes that it contributes positively to the bottom line?”—voted no while close to 49 percent voted yes.
About 5000 people participated in the ASSE issue poll that ran on its web site from Nov. 18 to Nov. 25.
In all, 51.2 percent of voters said no and 48.8 percent voted yes illustrating an almost split decision on the issue of whether corporate management is committed to workplace safety. Occupational safety and health professionals have debated and voiced concern as to whether corporate management, organizations and businesses readily incorporate workplace safety into their overall strategic planning and operations, especially from the outset.
In the past, much growth in the safety profession was regulatory-driven, but today it makes good business sense to provide a safe workplace, says ASSE. The cost of preventing work-related injuries and illnesses is far less than the cost of correcting them. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), every year workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries cost the nation $170 billion. ASSE estimates that for every $1 invested in a safety and health program, $4 to $6 is saved because injuries, illnesses and fatalities decline, and medical costs and workers’ compensation costs decrease. Corporations of all sizes that invest in and implement effective safety programs realize reduced absenteeism, lower turnover, higher productivity, increased employee moral and a positive brand image, says ASSE.
For more information, contact ASSE.
