Call Now: (312) 374-6626

The Biggest Obstacles Safety Leaders Face

OSHA Inspectors

or fill out the Contact Form

Safety leaders face a variety of challenges when trying to maintain workplace safety, increase compliance, and reduce accident rates. Keeping up with changing OSHA regulations, breaking through safety plateaus, providing appropriate PPE, minimizing the impact of workers’ compensation claims, and creating a culture of safety are a few of the most common challenges encountered.

Obstacle #1 – OSHA Changes

OSHA rules continually change. Safety managers are responsible for keeping informed of changes. Recent changes in 2017 require electronically submitting information about workplace injuries and illnesses so that they are made publicly available online. This makes it necessary for businesses to make the investments required to protect employees and prevent injuries.

Obstacle #2 – Getting Past Safety Plateaus

After taking measures to lower accident rates with ongoing training and forming safety committees, businesses might find themselves plateauing. This plateau can be overcome by taking a proactive approach toward preventing injuries and implementing technology to assist in this quest.

Obstacle #3 – Providing Proper PPE

Making sure that employees have all the proper PPE they need to safely do their jobs is a challenge. Supervisors need to be aware that one size does not fit all. Affordable equipment needs to be obtained that will fit employees and keep them protected.

Obstacle #4 – Limiting the Impact of Workers’ Comp Claims

Even the most robust safety program cannot prevent all injuries in the workplace. When an injury does happen, supervisors need to with human resources to mitigate the impact of a workers’ comp claim. To limit the impact, some strategies to use include:

  • Monitoring the claim
  • Knowing the doctors that the company uses
  • Not allowing the claim to become personal
  • Staying proactive
  • Bringing employees back to work

Obstacle #5 – Creating a Culture of Safety

If a culture of safety does not exist, it makes it almost impossible for a safety program to be effective. Supervisors need to build a culture of safety that allows workers to become empowered and take action toward protecting themselves and their coworkers. A strong culture of safety benefits the business with increased productivity because accident rates and employee turnover are reduced when safety programs are implemented.

Share This Article

As the founder of the firm, Neal has devoted his life to working for the worker. His achievements are numerous and beyond reproach. He is most proud of his work in helping clients obtain valuable benefits, such as a wheelchair ramp to his home or lifetime medical care.

As the founder of the firm, Neal has devoted his life to working for the worker. His achievements are numerous and beyond reproach. He is most proud of his work in helping clients obtain valuable benefits, such as a wheelchair ramp to his home or lifetime medical care.

Get a FREE Consultation:
We want to earn your business.

    Lawyers logos
    Lawyers logos