Q: What are employers’ responsibilities regarding workplace safety?
A: Employers should take all reasonably necessary steps to protect the life, health, safety and welfare of employees. Willful failure of an employer in following its own written workplace safety program that results in an employee's injury increases the injured employee's compensation rate by 15 percent. SOURCE: Workers Compensation Fund
Q: Why should an employer be concerned with safety training for its employees?
A: Properly training your employees will improve their chances for safety, which in turn will contribute to your company’s productivity, help with employee morale, and pay off in reduced costs. Involve your employees in identifying hazardous work practices or potential injurious situations, areas or machines. SOURCE: Based on information from the Utah Labor Commission and Workers Compensation Fund
Q: What are options for developing a safety program for employees who do not speak English as their primary language?
A: While there is no official standard for developing a safety program that works for a diverse employee base, there are examples of strategies that Utah employers have used, including:
- Establishing a written safety program that is supported by company management.
- Some employers have translated materials into different languages common among their employees, but with variations in literacy levels, written materials are not always the most effective.
- Posting illustrations (understood across language differences) that alert workers to hazards and safety protocols.
- Hiring or promoting multilingual supervisors who can train workers in their native languages.
- Providing hands-on safety training through teaching basic English skills, such as Daily Dose Learning Systems or similar programs. www.dailydoselearning.com
SOURCE: Based on information from Utah Labor commission and Workers Compensation Fund
Q: What advice is there for small or new businesses in developing a safety management program for a diverse workforce?
A: Resources are often limited for smaller or start-up companies, but establishing a safety program early on will provide cost-savings and improve productivity. While hiring a full-time safety manager may not be feasible, assign someone in management to oversee workplace safety. When possible, ensure that point person can communicate with employees in their native language. Free guides and help are available through the Utah Labor Commission Consultation services or online at www.wcfgroup.com under Employer Resources, and then Safety Resources. SOURCE: Based on information from the Utah Labor Commission and Workers Compensation Fund
Q: Where can an employer go to find out OSHA and other requirements/laws for safety?
Employers can seek help from the Utah Labor Commission Consultation Services. SOURCE: Utah Labor Commission
Q: What are ways to provide safety training for employees?
A: There are several options for employers to learn how to train employees. These include your insurance carrier, Utah Labor Commission Consultation Services, Utah Safety Council, and the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. See the LINKS below for more information.
Q: How can I tell which injuries my employees are at most risk for?
A: Is it falls or equipment malfunctions that are likely to injure your employees? Training your employees to protect themselves against injuries that are common is important. To identify which hazards are most common for your business, you can conduct an accident analysis at your place of business, or you can look for industry trends through reviewing statistics gathered by the Utah Labor Commission or Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Links:
Labor Commission of Utah
www.laborcommission.utah.gov
Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
www.rocky.utah.edu
Utah Safety Council
www.utahsafetycouncil.org
Workers Compensation Fund
www.wcfgroup.com
