Workplace injuries and illnesses have a huge impact on an employer’s bottom line.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers pay almost $1 billion per week for workers’ pay alone. Addressing safety and wellness issues in the workplace can save you money and protect your bottom line. 

It is important to know how this affects your business. Those costs for on-the-job injuries and illnesses come out of your company’s profit.

Workers’ compensation only covers about 27 percent of costs of injury or illness. To emphasize the importance of safety and wellness programs in your workplace, teach employees how occupational injuries can affect them. 

Benefits to Safety & Wellness Programs in the Workplace

When employees stay healthy, the direct cost savings to your business include the following: 

• Lower workers’ compensation costs 
• Less medical costs
• Less cost for return to work programs 
• Less faulty products 
• Less spent on overtime benefits 

Safety and health programs also lead to cutback in indirect costs: 

• Increased productivity  
• Higher-quality products 
• Higher morale
• Better relations between management and employees 
• Less turnover 
• More efficient use of time and resources 

Protecting your employees on a daily basis is crucial to the economy, our communities, fellow workers, their families and most importantly, to your company. Promote safety and health programs to ensure success. 

Employees and their families experience the following benefits from safety and wellness programs: 

• Lack of injury helps your employees maintain a steady income 
• Injuries do not affect family life 
• Good health leads to less stress 

Protecting employees is crucial to the economy, our communities, fellow workers and to our families. Safety and health programs allow your employees to flourish and your business to thrive.  

OSHA has pledged to work with employers who are committed to safe and healthy work practices to prevent loss. However, you must take an active role in promoting safety. Be sure to educate your employees on required OSHA practices. Teach them to value safety by setting a good example.  

Your employees are an investment so it is in your best interest to protect them. Focusing on safety and wellness will benefit your business in the short term. It will also help you avoid losses in the future.