The Dangers of Industry Average

Each year OSHA releases their standards for ‘industry average’ in areas such as Experience Modification Rate, Injury rates and more. For many companies, industry average is the end goal, thinking ‘we’re sitting among the competitors in our industry if we can achieve these numbers.’ However, the harsh reality is, you can be OSHA compliant and still have workers being injured or killed in your facility. While industry average can be a fine goal, your big goal should always be zero. Zero workers injured. Zero workers losing their lives.

So, how does this happen?

All goals can sound great, but if there isn’t a plan in place, they won’t be achieved. The driving vision of Optimum Safety Management is to see workers everywhere valued and safe, however, this does not come easily.

First, start by building compliance programs.

This will include items such as a Job Hazard Analysis, Hazard Communication Training, Job-Specific Training, along with many others. Trying to reduce injuries without treating the cause is like covering a wound, but not cleaning it first.

Once compliance programs are in place, Safety Management Systems can be built.

This is where we drive injury rates to ‘zero.’ While compliance programs may bring the company close to industry average, they will not always be enough. You get rid of OSHA Fines with compliance programs, you keep workers alive with Safety Management Systems.

What Does a Safety Management System (SMS) Look Like?

For years, Optimum has been refining an approach to the SMS and has worked with hundreds of companies to create an approach that truly works. Through the five steps shown below, we can create an environment where injury rates and the expenses of workers compensation fall rapidly.

Are you curious how this could work in your facility? At any level, we want to help you value workers and keep them safe. Contact us to learn about making ‘zero injuries’ a reality.