OSHA – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration – is charged with ensuring “safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.” In the same vein, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE Requirements) are “a set of processes and procedures identifying potential hazards to a certain environment, developing best practices to reduce or remove those hazards, and then training employees for accident prevention, accident response, etc.” Far more than just acronyms, OSHA plays an integral role in our workplaces. Since its inception in 1971, the number of employees in the US has grown from 56 million workers at 3.5 job sites to 105 million at 6.9 million sites. At the same time, though, the number of workplace fatalities has dropped by 60 percent and injury and illness rates by 40 percent. OSHA supervisor training benefits your company in a variety of ways. Let’s explore.
Why is OSHA supervisor training so important? It helps your organization:
Maintain a Safer Workplace
Safety is always the first priority. We can talk about profits and compliance (which we will!) but the bottom line is that these points are moot if you do not do everything within your power to keep your people (as well as the public and property) safe, to remove identified hazards, and to learn how to mitigate risks on job sites. Nothing – nothing – is more important. In an industry that is as inherently dangerous as construction, adhering to stringent safety measures is responsibility #1.
When supervisors have the proper training, they can identify hazards, mitigate and eliminate known risks, and anticipate trouble spots that could put their people in harm’s way. This is crucial.
While we prioritize safety, we all live in a world of OSHA and HSE requirements, regulations, rules, and standards – as well as potential fines and penalties if we step out of line. To navigate this world successfully, you need the right training and education. You can be fined not only for each and every last violation on a site, but you will also be charged per day that the violation continues without remedy. This can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars (or more). For many companies, this is a hit that they just cannot absorb. Make sure your i’s are dotted and t’s cross: it starts with OSHA-approved training and supervisors who are committed to job safety and health.
Let’s get to the bottom line. As mentioned, fines and penalties for OSHA violations can be astronomical. You also have to factor in associated costs involved with workplace injuries and illnesses, such as legal fees, workers’ comp insurance premiums, lost productivity, and – while perhaps not quite as easy to quantify – loss of reputation. The damage that fatalities, injuries, and illnesses can have on your business should not be dismissed. It can create an atmosphere of mistrust and even fear that makes it difficult to recruit the right people, target the right customers/clients, and grow in the right ways. A safe workplace goes a long way toward building a profitable workplace.
Your reputation is invaluable; without a sterling name, you simply cannot operate within your community/region effectively. Trust is paramount, and this begins with your own people. Showing a commitment to the safety, health, and well-being of your team (and, by extension, your customers/clients, partners, the public, etc.) demonstrates that you put people first. This builds trust and enhances your “social license to operate.” Without this, you cannot thrive as a business.
You’ve heard the phrase, “See something, say something”? This applies on job sites – especially if they are, by nature, more hazardous. When you have OSHA-trained supervisors on your job sites, they are not enforcement agents. They are not looking for violations so they can get people in trouble. They should be working to identify risks and remove them. They should also be creating a culture of accountability where team members are able to say, “This isn’t right.” Or, “It’s not safe because of X,” or, “I think we need to do Y.” In this way, everyone works together to create a safe – and accountable – work environment.
When you need training, it can be challenging to find the time and resources necessary. We have made it easier. Labor for Hire offers online training that is flexible and ensures immediate compliance. You and your team will have 24/7 access, and you can study and learn from…. anywhere. They will also learn from the best in the industry with experts guiding interactive training sessions that deliver a one-on-one feel. We will customize your training program to meet your needs. Contact us today if you think this would benefit your team.
Take advantage of basic 10-hour OSHA General Industry training, 30-hour training specific to your industry, and 40-hour OSHA Hazwoper training. Again, this depends on your needs, but supervisors with 30-hour training certificates indicate that your company places the greatest emphasis on safety. This benefits you in all the ways we have discussed.