What’s the latest in safety and health? What are managers looking for in order to measure safety system effectiveness? The latest results are in, and we would like to share with you some of the key highlights.
Training and Audits Are Key Performance Indicators
When asked, “Which leading indicators do you use to measure safety performance?” participants in the survey noted four leading factors:
- Training (86.5%)
- Employee Audits and Observations (81.5%)
- Near-Misses (78.8%)
- Safety Meetings (78.6%)
Noting this, when asked, “Does your organization/facility have or make use of the following programs and/or policies?” respondents have policies and committees in place to protect employees:
- Safety Committees (80.7%)
- Formal Training and Mentoring (71.9%)
Many programs leave room for improvement, with only three-tenths of employers implementing an ergonomics program and exactly one-third having a bullying policy in place.
More than Half of Safety Professionals Believe in an Engaging, Safety Focused EHS Program
When asked, “How would you describe the EHS program in your facility/organization?” respondents believe that getting employees fully engaged in safety is the leading concern, nearly 4 times the next answer.
- Getting Employees Fully Engaged in Safety (52.9%)
- Lowering Injury/Illness Rate (13.3%)
- Complying with New and Existing Regulations (13.1%)
- Addressing a Specific Safety Issue (11.7%)
Top Injuries to be Reduced led by Slip, Trip, and Fall
When asked, “Which of the following types of injuries/illnesses are you actively targeting in your organization/facility?” safety professionals goals for reduction were as follows:
- Slips, Trips, and Falls (61.2%)
- Cuts, Lacerations, and Punctures (54.3%)
- Sprains, Strains, and Tears (50.3%)
- Repetitive Stress and Musculoskeletal Injuries (43.7%)
- Back Injuries (43.0%)
The top nine were rounded out by employers targeting struck-by injuries (27.1%), caught in-between injuries (23.7%), chemical burns and exposure (17.5%), and fractures (10.9%).
Employers Protecting Employees
Although only 5.4% of respondents feel that they have a world-class EHS program, many feel that it is very good (27.6%), or good (31.6%). This translates into wide adoption of a variety of programs designed to protect employees, led by eye, face, and head protection.
When asked, “Which of the following programs are conducted in your facility/organization?” more than nine-tenths of respondents conduct eye, face, and head protection:
- Eye, Face, and Head Protection (91.6%)
- Hand Protection (81.5%)
- Hearing Protection (81.0%)
- Fall Protection (80.6%)
A surprisingly low (68.7%) of respondents conduct respiratory protection programs in their organization.
For the full 2015 EHS National Safety Survey, click here.
