Safety Programs Increase Productivity For Manufacturing Companies

New study reveals that 83% of senior management and operations personnel have observed an increase in productivity over time due to the implementation of a safety program.

A new study reveals that 83% of senior management and operations personnel at manufacturing facilities have observed an increase in productivity over time due to the implementation of safety programs, and have seen the costs of injuries and insurance claims decrease as a result.

workplace safety programs
Credit: Digital Vision

The study, sponsored by Advanced Technology Services, Inc. (ATS), also found that:

  • 97% of respondents believe their employees feel safe on the job
  • More than 75% of respondents were very committed to safety in their facilities
  • More than 70% of facilities reported holding regular safety meetings, performing safety audits, and having established a safety committee in order to enforce safety methods
  • Another 69% of facilities have implemented job safety analysis procedures

“The results of this survey clearly proves the primary importance of safety within today’s manufacturing environments,” said David Miller, Senior Director, Environmental Health and Safety at Advanced Technology Services. “Only those manufacturing facilities which continue to emphasize safety as a top-level issue will remain highly productive and competitive in today’s marketplace.”

The research, conducted with Plant Engineering magazine to better understand workplace safety in manufacturing, also examined the idea of a safety “culture,” how far safety efforts extend into the plant and beyond, and safety trends and strategies. Primary job functions of the respondents involved engineering, maintenance, or supervisory responsibilities. The average respondent had 24 years of plant or engineering-related industry experience.

The study also examined work group safety, safety program benefits and challenges, strategies and technologies used to enforce safety, safety training received, frequency of and contributors to safety meetings, safety’s effect on productivity, personal protective equipment, and the measurement of safety success.