Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/713205
34 PalletCentral • July-August 2016 palletcentral.com takes precedence over short term production pressures. Simultaneously, production does not suffer but is enhanced due to the level of excellence developed within the organization. What Are The Benefits of a Safety Culture? There are many benefits to a safety culture. For example, there is a decrease in downtime due to jobsite accidents. Providing your employees with a safer working environment also increases workforce morale. In turn, companies will see increases in skilled worker retention. Companies can expect dramatically reduced premium expenses and improved future predictability on cost particularly when the worker's compensation market place is hard Worker's Compensation in Your Business When looking at facilities handling wood products, safety is a complex, multi-faceted thing for sure. Just as you wouldn't install a new headrig without calibrating it, you should view safety programs in the same way. Achieving safe outcomes requires planning, organizing, controlling and managing - just like any other aspect of your operation. Safe Operations Are an Investment Safety should be seen as an investment that provides real benefits. A Goldman Sachs report indicates that during a recent four-year period, companies actively managing safety issues performed better financially than those that did not. A safe work environment helps keep skilled workers on the job and orders delivered on-time by reducing accidents. It also reduces the risks of litigation and regulatory action. Leadership is the key element in creating and sustaining a value- based safety culture which fosters and embraces a strong safety ethic. Is your company working diligently to create a proactive safety culture? PC BUSINESS Christoper W. Call, CIC, CWCA, is the vice president of Mountcastle Insurance in Lexington, North Carolina. The com- pany specializes in designing and securing risk management and insurance programs for the lumber industry. Chris may be reached at 336-249-5688.