Safety is an essential element of any facility's success. The real challenge is how to maintain productivity levels while not compromising safety measures.  

Negative effects of sacrificing safety: 

• Increased health expenditures: Shortcuts taken to keep up with high demands lead to more workplace injuries. 
• Lack of loyalty: A stressful and unsafe work environment reduces job satisfaction. Unhappy workers are likely to leave or be less productive. 
• More employee burnout: Even the employees that stay and don't get hurt can lose morale under stressful conditions. Physical and mental exhaustion means more sick days.  

5 ways to increase productivity and safety: 

1. Implement a safety management system.

A safety management system is a formal process to identify and control hazards in the workplace. This includes job hazard analysis, safety training, incident tracking, and hazard response. An effective safety management system enables businesses to reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring. 

2. Make safety automatic.

Enable employees to focus on their work projects without having to worry about safety. Engineering controls such as machine guards, ventilation, and barriers minimize hazards. They also prevent shortcuts that would increase the risk of an incident. 

3. Enhance your visual communication. 

Deliver information instantly, right where the employee needs it. Clear signs, labels, and floor marking provide simplified instructions in complex environments, clearly identify hazards, and help reduce injuries. Outline work processes and pathways to reduce errors and guesswork.  

4. Improve employee training 

Employee training helps workers better understand potential hazards and how to avoid them. Training boosts worker confidence in their ability to safely perform their jobs, which leads to increased productivity. Refresh training regularly to reinforce procedures and communicate any changes to work processes. 

5. Manage worker fatigue levels 

A tired worker is a sloppy worker. Fatigue is a growing concern for many facilities, as workers regularly work extended hours on high-risk duties. Create a schedule that provides workers adequate rest and recovery periods in between shifts. Reduce workload, rotate work shifts, or provide compressed workweeks to manage stress. Also provide a break room where they can relax and rejuvenate during their free time. 

Put it to work 

The benefits of improved safety further enhance productivity and a company's bottom line. A safe workplace delivers fewer injuries, lower insurance premiums and workman's comp claims, and increased employee retention and efficiency. Improved morale and attendance drives superior results.