FAQ
Why should all companies employ a well monitored safety program?
Firstly, the personnel who participate enjoy a less stressful environment due to less incidents and lost time caused by serious injuries. Secondly, the legislation regarding workplace, safety and health is very clear on issues of this nature. Non-compliance is not tolerated and the consequences can be company killers? Also, companies that employ a well monitored safety program enjoy reduced WCB rates.
What are the costs associated with operating a well monitored safety program?
The first measured cost is the time required training personnel and publishing a set of policies and safe work practices & procedures. Certifying employees and purchasing safety equipment is also an expense which is a shared responsibility between ownership and employee. Also any staff costs related to the safety coordinator. These costs vary, but are easily calculated.
What are the costs of non compliance regarding safety?
Never before have the costs of non-compliance been so high for all involved. Recent cases of negligence in the workplace brought before the courts have yielded thousands of dollars in fines for both management (ownership) and employee. Society is also beginning to exclude various industry names based solely upon safety program merit. Together these two can spell the end of growth for a company.
Who in a company monitors the safety program and what are the responsibilities associated?
A safety program is incorporated and monitored by a safety coordinator. This person attends regular meetings with all personnel regarding safety and health issues. The safety and health committee is a group of people equally represented from management and non-management levels, the directing of this committee is a responsibility of the safety coordinator as well. All responsibilities associated with a safety coordinators position must also be documented and filed for future reference in the case of incident or litigation. In the past, these responsibilities were delegated to production personnel, but in recent years the legislation has been revised to such lengths, many companies have found it necessary to hire qualified full time help for this task, usually after a costly infraction of the laws that govern safe work. Continual education is essential for a Safety Coordinator to maintain up to date knowledge as ignorance is not an option in the workplace, which takes an average 30 days per year of work time. Lastly, this person must report directly to the CEO of a company to ensure complete communication.
Financially, can a company benefit from incorporating a fully monitored safety program?
The benefits associated are huge. A safety program lowers insurance premiums, which allows for increased profit and flexibility when calculating budgets for expansions or the development of various other programs. Fewer lost time incidents reduces the costs of hiring and training new employees.
Why should any company retain the services of a consultant when considering the costs associated with a safety program?
There are a number of reasons to be economically concerned when it comes time to implementing a safety program. A pro- active approach is recommended to allow for adequate research. At the GT-Group, we utilize resources world wide to serve our clients in the most efficient manner available. We have attained levels of recognition for clients and continue to broaden our services to comply with requests and legislated boundaries. The cost of hiring a full time professional to handle the safety coordinatorís responsibilities can be thousands of dollars per month depending on your industry; this does not include all continuing education and liability insurance costs associated with certifying appropriate personnel. The cost of a consultant is a fraction and allows third party analysis which is a pre-requisite for attaining certain recognition in various industries.
Q: What do you get when the G/T Group manages your safety program?
All safe work training of personnel including existing and new hire orientations with regards to safety issues
Drafting and monitoring of company safety policies and safe work practices & procedures
Forming and monitoring the safety & health committee, completion of all minutes and agendas and distribution of both to appropriate parties
Ensuring legislated training of all personnel regarding safety issues are completed, documented and filed
Complete managing of all safety program information developed and generated to ensure present and future risk management
All correspondence regarding incident reporting and correspondence with the Workers Compensation Board and The Workplace, Safety & Health Division
What makes the G/T Group a smart choice when choosing a Safety Coordinator?
The G/T group has a proven track record of getting employees to buy in? to company safety programs. The techniques employed educating and training are well researched and tested to provide optimum value for time spent. We provide sound risk management advice while developing safe work procedures, an integral component for any program. All training is conducted by certified personnel and is completed both in house and on sites. Our doors never close and we can be reached regarding any safety concerns seven days a week. We also provide services both management and non-management personnel can utilize. All services can be discussed by contacting us.
