Safety Compliance vs. Safety Success in Reducing Workplace Injuries
William Zachry
August 1, 2024Genuine safety excellence transcends mere regulatory compliance. It demands cultivating a proactive safety mindset, actively engaging employees, and weaving safety considerations into the fabric of all business operations.
There is a significant distinction between merely achieving safety compliance and realizing true safety success in reducing the frequency and severity of workplace injuries. As the Risk Manager at Safeway / Albertsons, I knew that if I were only concerned with meeting the OSHA safety requirements, I would not meet my overall injury prevention goals. OSHA compliance was important (to prevent fines and penalties and our reputation from being hurt). However, OSHA compliance did not have the robust focus on the safety culture needed to drive down my overall claims frequency and severity. Various studies highlight this distinction and emphasize the importance of moving beyond compliance to cultivate a proactive safety culture. Because of the financial incentives due to OSHA penalties, many employers' safety programs focus on compliance, not success.
Employers should consider how to effectively transition from safety compliance to safety success. Voxel is a tool to help them with this transition. It can give immediate feedback to the safety team on issues endemic to the safety culture.
Safety Compliance
Safety compliance refers to adhering to established safety regulations and standards, such as those set by OSHA. Compliance involves following specific rules and procedures to avoid legal penalties and ensure a baseline level of safety. This includes policies, procedures, and training programs that are designed to meet regulatory requirements (Safetymint) (OSHA).
Learn more about how to achieve safety compliance today.
Safety Success
On the other hand, safety success involves creating a culture beyond compliance to prevent accidents and injuries. It focuses on continuous improvement, employee involvement, and proactive risk management. Successful safety programs integrate safety into every aspect of the organization, encouraging employees to participate in safety initiatives and continuously looking for ways to improve safety practices. See these links for reference: (OSHA) (OSHA).
Key Differences
1. Proactivity vs. Reactivity:
- Compliance: Often reactive, addressing problems only when they arise or when inspections identify issues.
- Success: Proactive, anticipating and preventing potential risks before they result in incidents.
2. Employee Involvement:
- Compliance: Employees follow set rules but may need to be more actively engaged in improving safety.
- Success: Employees are encouraged to participate in safety discussions, identify hazards, and suggest improvements.
3. Cultural Integration:
- Compliance: Safety is viewed as a separate function, often only involving safety officers or managers.
- Success: Safety is integrated into the overall culture, with everyone from top management to front-line workers committed to maintaining a safe workplace.
Studies on Safety Compliance and Safety Success
Research highlights the importance of distinguishing between safety compliance and safety success. For instance, a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explores the relationships between safety compliance, safety participation, and safety outcomes. It found that compliance and involvement are crucial, but participation (involving employees in safety activities) substantially improves safety outcomes (MDPI).
OSHA emphasizes that adequate safety and health management systems (SHMS) go beyond compliance by integrating safety into all business operations. This approach helps anticipate and prevent workplace hazards and significantly reduces injuries and illnesses, thereby reducing costs associated with workplace accidents (OSHA).
Conclusion
Achieving true safety success requires organizations to move beyond compliance with safety regulations. It involves fostering a proactive safety culture, encouraging employee involvement, and integrating safety into every aspect of the business. By focusing on these elements, organizations can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries, ultimately creating a safer and more productive work environment.
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