When it comes to the workplace, safety is key. Whether a business is a small office, a restaurant, or a busy construction site, workplace injuries can be traumatic for both employees and employers. Injury and illness prevention programs help promote a safe workplace environment for workers as well as help business owners maintain achieve or lower premiums by reducing the number or severity of claims.
The Department of Labor provides sobering statistics that emphasize the need for injury and illness prevention programs. Over 4,500 American workers die on the job every year—an average of 12 a day. Every year, more than 4.1 million workers suffer a serious job-related injury or illness. As a result, many states encourage or require employers to maintain safe and healthy workplace environments through the use of worker safety programs.1
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, an IIPP can reduce incidences of injury and illness by as much as 35%. And in California, New York, and other states that mandate or incentivize IIPP's, organizations save between $9 billion and $23 billion per year in workers’ compensation costs.
All of which is to say that an IIPP is a good idea whether or not your state requires you have one. Here are a few considerations for developing and implementing an effective and accountability-driven program:
1. Have a Plan and Write It Down
Let’s start with the basics. First, read up on your organization’s responsibilities. Does your state mandate IIPP's? Some states do, others don’t. Still, others have additional rules and exemptions for employers of certain sizes, employers in “hazardous” industries (such as mining and construction), and employers with higher-than-average experience modifiers.
Make sure to learn about any specific IIPP requirements or guidelines in your state.
In California, for instance, all employers are required to develop and implement IIPP's that cover 8 elements:
Responsibility
Compliance
Communication
Hazard Assessment
Accident/Exposure Investigation
Hazard Correction
Training and Instruction
Recordkeeping
Next, create a written IIPP that:
a) identifies any and all hazards present in your workplace and
b) explains what steps your facilities will take to prevent, address, and resolve incidents.
Your plan should also include information about training and the individual or department responsible for leading the program.
2. Train Your Workforce
The success of your IIPP depends on the actions (or inaction) of your workforce. Train all employees on every single hazard they may face at work, and train your managers on proper incident response. Training should occur:
a) for every new employee, on or before their first day on the job, and
b) every time a new hazard is introduced to the workplace. Make sure all training records are complete and keep them available and easily accessible.
3. Hold Safety Committee Meetings on a Regular Basis
Just as hazards and regulations change, so too may your IIPP. Keep your plan up to date by regularly reviewing it and, when necessary, revising it. Consider establishing a safety committee comprised of members of leadership and management, as well as employee representative(s) if appropriate. This committee should meet on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis to review and update the IIPP.
4. Document Everything
Documentation is essential for incident reporting and IIPP reviewing purposes. Keep comprehensive and timely records and documents on training, injuries, illnesses, investigations, committee meetings, changes to your IIPP, and every other event related to your program.
Whether your company needs assistance in creating an Injury & Illness Prevention Program, or other Health & Safety program, Costello Safety Consulting is here to help. We can also provide you with information on OSHA requirements for your industry and provide Customized Safety Training.
*1 “Injury and Illness Prevention Programs,” OSHA, January 2012, www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/safetyhealth/OSHAwhite-paper-january2012sm.pdf.