Why is workplace safety and health important?
Workplace injuries and illnesses are costly for workers and for you. Workers who are hurt on the job suffer pain and lost wages, while you and your insurance company pay medical costs and wage benefits to the employee. You also experience the indirect costs associated with lost productivity. Preventing workplace injuries saves lives and money and improves quality of life. My company had two work-related injuries last year – is that a lot? The answer to that question depends on several factors. A company with 1,000 employees and only two work-related injuries in a year has a better injury and illness record than a company with two injuries and 10 employees. Incidence rates, the formula used to compare workplace injuries and illnesses for a company within its industry, between industries, among states and the nation, considers the number of cases that occur per 100 full-time workers. How can I calculate my company’s injury and illness incidence rate? The law requires most companies[1] to
