The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) operates on a simple mandate: all workers throughout the country have the right to healthy and safe conditions while on the job. OSHA uses several strategies to accomplish its core mission of improving workplace safety, including providing comprehensive information resources for staff training, workers, managers and employers alike.
Almost all businesses in the United States are subject to OSHA standards, so they are a relevant concern for employers and employees alike in a huge range of industries. For workers in high-risk environments, comprehensive training and annual certifications help reduce incidents in the workplace, saving lives, time and money.
OSHA’s Influence on Safety Culture
As a regulatory agency, OSHA designs and refines its standards to cover all types of hazards presented in workplaces throughout the country. Almost all employers are subject to some regulations, but companies in high-risk industries face more numerous and stringent requirements according to their specific operations. Standardization of safety regulations as well as enforcement through inspection and legal action fuel the need for comprehensive employee training in most workplaces. Companies who embrace a culture of safety and quality training for their workers have the highest potential for growth.
Beyond Compliance: Training as a Tool for Growth
The financial and legal penalties of serious or repeated safety violations is enough to motivate some business leaders to prioritize OSHA training for their staff. However, there are several other reasons why businesses should embrace accountability rather than avoid it.
Research into industrial and organizational performance has shown that employee morale has a significant impact on productivity, which in turn has an undeniable impact on profits. Ensuring all workers and senior staff receive full safety training and annual certifications is proof that their well-being is a priority for their employer. Training sessions also present an invaluable opportunity to build awareness of key workplace issues and develop the company’s culture throughout all levels of the organization.
OSHA regulations are primarily designed to protect workers, but they ultimately protect employers as well. Serious workplace accidents can expose companies to liability, which can lead to costly financial penalties and a potential public relations crisis. Accident-prone workplaces also face serious productivity losses due to delayed operations and employee down-time.
Learn from the Certified Safety Experts
In order for training to be effective, it needs to be comprehensive, detailed and updated with the latest developments in health and safety regulations. This is why many organizations turn to outside experts who specialize in workplace safety issues as well as employee education. As an established provider of integrated environmental consulting and engineering services, ATC offers comprehensive training and education services that specifically target OSHA regulations.
ATC is certified to provide training regarding OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER), which applies to employers involved in clean-up operations, handling of dangerous waste materials and emergency response to disasters. We also provide OSHA outreach and supervisor training to help organizations develop internal communications mechanisms and educate their management team on key issues.
Our training services are available in multiple locations throughout the country and include customized education programs that cover a wide range of subjects and certifications. Contact your local branch for more information.