Reasons for a Comprehensive Safety Program

The three major considerations involved in the development of a safety program are 

Humanitarian—Safe operation of workplaces is a moral obligation imposed by modem soeiety. This obligation includes consideration for loss of fife, human pain and suffering, family suffering 

Economic—Prevention costs less than accidents. This fact has been proven consistently by the experience of thousands of industrial operations. The direct cost is represented by medical care, compensation, etc. The indirect cost of 4 to 10 times the direct cost must be ealeulated, as well as the loss of wages to employees and the reflection of these losses on the entire eommunity. 

All three of these are good reasons to have a health and safety program. It is also important that these programs be formalized in writing, since a written program sets the foundation and provides a consistent approach to occupational health and safety for the company. There are other logical reasons for a written safety and health program. Some of them are 

Written safety and health programs have a real place in modem safety and health practices not to mention the potential benefits. If a decrease in occupational incidents that result in injury, illness, or damage to property is not reason enough to develop and implement a written safety and health program, the other benefits from having a formal safety and health program seem well worth the investment of time and resources. Some of these are 

Federal and state governments have laws charging the employer with the responsibility for safe working conditions and adequate supervision of work practices. Employers are also responsible for paying the costs incurred for injuries suffered by their employees during their work activities. 

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