Happy New Year! This time of year is infamously known for setting (and forgetting) resolutions for the year to come. Resolutions tend to fail because we think too big, we don’t consider the “why”, and sometimes we’re just not ready for change. You may be wondering what does this have to do with health and safety? Well, believe it or not, when we reach out to our clients to check on the program, we hear the same thing, time and time again. “We don’t have time” or “the person who was handling it left” or, our least favourite response “we don’t see the purpose.” In order to make your health and safety program stick, let’s consider how to approach your health and safety program in small, attainable steps, look at the “why”, and finally admit to ourselves it’s time to change!
Let’s get started by talking about the January Compliance Package. If you are a private client of Dunk & Associates, you may be set up to receive monthly compliance packages. These compliance packages outline the activities and steps needed to remain in compliance with your existing health and safety program, should an OHS Inspector/Officer arrive at your workplace. All of the steps are included in broken-out activities; all you need to do is complete them! Don’t get caught up thinking you must completely overhaul your program; work with what you have, update what needs to be updated, and keep safety in your mind. You’ll be surprised at how small changes can snowball into an effective and compliant program!
We’ve all come to work with a specific goal or action plan for the day and everything goes sideways, including your goal and plan. Do you stop going to work the next day? Hopefully not! If you schedule a few hours to work on your health and safety program and that day goes off the rails, don’t abandon it! Try to squeeze in some time the following day or within that week. Putting off the task until the next week may be just enough time to forget about it. We understand that life happens but make a solid effort to complete the tasks.
Next, let’s think about why we need compliant health and safety programs. We know that effective health and safety programs reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses, lessen the impact on your business when they occur, and improve your business’s reputation, overall morale, and productivity. Seems like a no-brainer. We all want our employees to come to work, do their jobs safely, and go home to their families at the end of the day. That is the ultimate why.
Hopefully, the last paragraph inspired you to make a commitment to your health and safety program. Remember that at the end of the day, you can choose to make time for your program, or you can choose not to. Do you want your staff to work safely, saving significant premiums and costs associated with workers’ compensation claims? Or do you still not have time?
We hope this pep talk has had an impact on you and your program. Should you have any questions, concerns, thoughts, or even want to talk about your program with one of our professional staff, please do not hesitate! Reach out via email support@systems24-7.com or call us toll free at 1-866-754-8839.
We look forward to our upcoming calls and conversations about your health and safety programs and the differences you see once you are fully committed to safety!