Most large organizations provide health and safety training, but first aid and CPR is often overlooked. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states: “In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.” This applies to any industry of any size: construction or general, large or small.

Around 3.3 million people are injured at work each year in America. In many cases they spend days, weeks, or even months out of work as a result of those injuries. Some never return to work. Because of this, it’s critical to develop a culture that believes all accidents are predictable, preventable, and unacceptable.

Where Do We Start?

In today’s world there is so much emphasis on doing more with less. This obviously has its perks, but it also has a significant negative impact that cannot be overlooked. Employees who are pushed to the max are at risk of being overstressed and ultimately burning out. Burnout reduces productivity and takes a toll on individual’s health.

At the recent American Society of Safety Engineers’ conference there was a chilling message for businesses that employ temporary staff. David Michaels, OSHA’s Assistant Secretary of Labor, raised the issue of workplace fatalities and pointed the finger of blame. He said, “temporary workers are at greater risk of workplace injury and illness than non-temps.” A major factor is a “lack of job information and safety training for temps increasingly employed in dangerous occupations.”

This ‘lack of information and safety training’ contributed to a figure of 14 fatalities of temporary workers on their first day on the job over the past 12 months. That’s a scary figure for employers and temps alike. How does this happen?

Employers should believe that healthier employees are more productive employees. Studies prove this! Emphasizing health AND changing the culture within the workplace to support healthier lifestyles is worth the effort. Any ROI is icing on the cake.

Risk management isn’t limited to operations, finance, or within manufacturing facilities; there are risks to be aware of within physical office buildings and for office workers.

Tripping Hazards

Hunting accidents on vacant land can lead to a number of legal liability concerns. Homeowners with vacant land or farmland with exposures to third-party hunters should take a variety of measures to mitigate their exposure. Thus, consider the following recommendations if you own property with this exposure.

Over the last 40 years, the digital age has dawned, and profoundly changed the modern society. As a business that is concerned about risk management, staying on top of the emerging risks is a necessity, but the mind boggling speed of technological advancement has made this difficult. With a modern business relying so much on technology, it is then imperative that every effort is made to manage the risks of a digital age.