Nagel 1

Jack Nagel
Sandlin
Pre-AP English 4
11-14-14
Safety Policy: Importance of Safety in the Workplace
What if I told you that every year, nearly 250,000 workers are reported ill or injured in
New York State alone? Would you believe me? It actually is true. In such a busy and active state,
imagine how much work was lost from lost hours or days of work. This is an important reason
why Safety and Health policies should be mandatory in workplaces. Imagine how many hours of
work are lost to injuries! Also, work places would benefit significantly from health code
improvements because they increase worker and customer satisfaction, improve company image,
and increase work output. These traits are obviously a positive thing for a company to have.
Another reason health and safety laws are effective is because they are easy to follow. In 2010,
New York States Health Commissioner, Richard F. Daines, asked for employees and employers
to play a role in improving the health and safety of workers: by improving work conditions by
themselves, reporting unsafe work conditions, and inviting site visits with health experts. These
things listed are not difficult to follow, and they can greatly improve the safety and efficiency of
a workplace.
The first important point is loss of work hours or efficiency. 4,405 workers were killed on
the job in the US in 2013. That averages about 85 a week or more than 12 a day. 20.3% of
deaths are in construction jobs. The leading causes of deaths were falls, struck by object,
electrocution, and caught-in/between. If these 4 causes of deaths were stopped, 468 workers
lives would be saved annually (Information from Occupational Safety and Health

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Administration: Common statistics). An effective safety policy not only saves work hours, but
also lives.
The second important point is that improved health codes benefit workers, customers, and
employers by improving quality and company image. Wouldnt you agree that a company would
have a great image if they reported little to no injuries for the entire year? Effective safety
policies can improve worker satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and company image. If the
customers and workers are happy, then the work rate and quality goes up and sales rise. The
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety reports that benefits to the workplace
include: Less turnover and absenteeism, better able to cope with stress and change, improved
morale, increased productivity and job satisfaction, fewer injuries, increased retention and
recruitment, and improved company image and culture ("What is Workplace Health and Why is
it Important"). These are important things for a business to work towards.
The final important point is that it is very easy to make workplaces safer with simple
steps that anyone can follow. Safety can be enforced by anyone at a work place. It takes no effort
to report a dangerous condition. The New York Department of Health says: employers should
review laws that apply to your worksites to ensure you are in compliance, work with workforce
representatives to develop health and safety programming as needed, invite a site visit from and
occupational health expert to make health and safety recommendations, offer medical screenings,
[], distribute health and safety information regularly, along with appropriate protective
equipment to employees ("Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace). These procedures
do not require much time and effort, but their effects are enormous.

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As you can see through these examples, effective safety policies are necessary for a
company or business to function efficiently and effectively. Instead of 250,000 workers getting
ill or injured on the job in New York every year, lets make it only 250. Instead of 4,405
workers getting killed on the job in America, lets make it 45. With effective safety policies, we
can save lives.

"Promoting Health and Safety in the Workplace." Promoting Health and Safety in the
Workplace. New York Department of Health, 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
<http://planaheadnewyork.org/press/releases/2010/2010-04-27_health_awareness_week.htm>.
"What Is Workplace Health and Why Is It Important." CCOHS: AHW: What Is
Workplace Health and Why Is It Important? Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and
Safety. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. <http://ccohs.org/healthyworkplaces/employers/why.html>.
"Why Safety Is Important?" Why Is Safety Important. Safety Management Group. Web.
12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.safetymanagementgroup.com/why-safety.aspx>.
"Commonly Used Statistics." Commonly Used Statistics. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
<https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html>.

benefits to the workplace include: Less turnover and absenteeism, better able to cope with stress
and change, improved morale, increased productivity and job satisfaction, fewer injuries,

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increased retention and recruitment, and improved company image and culture ("What is
Workplace Health and Why is it Important").
employers should review laws that apply to your worksites to ensure you are in compliance,
work with workforce representatives to develop health and safety programming as needed, invite
a site visit from and occupational health expert to make health and safety recommendations,
offer medical screenings, [], distribute health and safety information regularly, along with
appropriate protective equipment to employees ("What Is Workplace Health and Why Is It
Important)