Investing in safety pays multiple dividends, groups say in new report

Washington — Employers whose approach to workplace safety goes beyond “checking a box” can achieve better business outcomes, according to a new report from a coalition of safety groups that includes the National Safety Council and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

The Intersociety Forum outlines three principles for achieving the goal:
Standards and worker well-being: Create standards that foster business success while promoting holistic worker health.
Embrace risk and safety management systems: Take modern environmental, health and safety practices beyond compliance, using them to proactively mitigate risk and embed safety into every aspect of decision-making.
Revolutionize recordkeeping for predictive insights: Use leading indicators proactively to predict and prevent serious injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

“This data confirms what safety professionals have long understood: Investing in worker protection not only saves lives but also drives economic growth and operational excellence,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC.

The coalition has stated that it plans to discuss its findings with OSHA when new agency leadership is confirmed.