Safe from the start? Survey of small-business owners uncovers regrets

Denver — Nearly half of young small-business owners – and 3 out of 10 overall – regret not emphasizing worker safety when they started their business, results of a recent survey show.

On behalf of Pie Insurance, researchers from YouGov PLC surveyed more than 1,000 business owners with 500 or fewer employees. Findings show that 47% of the owners ages 18-34 “wish they had focused more on employee safety from the start, highlighting a desire to improve.” For the group at large, 30% said the same.

Also of note: 70% of the owners 55 and older reported zero workplace injuries in the past five years compared with 23% of the younger owners.

Further, 13% of the respondents cited mental stress as the most common workplace injury over the past five years. An open-ended prompt for the owners’ biggest workplace safety “nightmare” commonly returned answers such as natural disasters, workplace violence and mental health.

Pie Insurance offers a checklist small-business owners can use to create a safer work environment. The list includes:

• Establish reporting procedures for injuries, illnesses, incidents, hazards, and safety and health concerns.
• Provide comprehensive workplace training on risks to physical and mental health.
• Encourage open dialogue about mental health and offer access to resources for coping mechanisms and support.
• Identify and address workplace stressors that may contribute to mental health concerns.
• Encourage worker feedback and incorporate their suggestions for safety measures.
• Educate workers on emergency response plans and procedures, as well as security and response procedures in the event of workplace violence.