Workplace safety is important to labor unions and plan sponsors that offer BCBS coverage to their members.To help your organization improve its workplace safety and health programs, review the resources below and consider participating in Safe + Sound Week. By working together, we can ensure the workplace is safe and healthy for all union workers.
Each year, more than 4 million workers suffer serious job-related injuries or illnesses. These incidents don't just hurt workers and their families, but can hurt businesses in a variety of ways. Companies spend $1 billion per week on workers' compensation, which is money that could be better invested in growing businesses and creating jobs.
The safety and health program approach has been proven by "best in class" employers that have reduced injuries and illnesses and improved their businesses. While there are different approaches, all effective safety and health programs have three core elements:
- Management leadership. Top management commits to establishing, maintaining, and continually improving the program, and provides any necessary resources.
- Worker participation. Effective programs involve workers in identifying solutions. Improved worker engagement is linked to better productivity, higher job satisfaction, and better worker retention.
- A systematic find and fix approach. All effective programs are centered around a proactive process of finding and fixing hazards before they can cause injury or illness.
The Safe + Sound Campaign encourages every workplace in the U.S. to have a safety and health program that includes these three core elements.
Initiating a safety and health program doesn't have to be complicated or require outside consultants; there are some simple, do-it-yourself steps to get started. Visit the Safe + Sound Campaign website to learn how.
What steps can unions and employers take now to show their commitment to safety?
Participating in Safe + Sound Week provides an opportunity to launch or renew your efforts to proactively identify and manage hazards in your workplace before they cause injuries or illnesses.
What is Safe + Sound Week?
A nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces.
Why Participate?
Safe workplaces are sound businesses. Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started or energize an existing one.
Who is Encouraged to Participate?
Organizations of any size or in any industry looking for an opportunity to show their commitment to safety to workers, customers, the public, or supply chain partners should participate.
How to Participate
Participating in Safe + Sound Week is easy. To get started, select the activities you would like to do at your workplace. You can host an event just for your workers or host a public event to engage your community. Examples of potential activities and tools to help you plan and promote your events are available. After you've completed your events, you can download a certificate and web badge to recognize your organization and your workers.
Visit www.osha.gov/safeandsoundweek for more information and resources to help you prepare!