The Hidden Price Tag of Unsafe Workplaces

The financial impact of workplace injuries can be significant. Reliable sources estimate that employers in the U.S. pay out more than $1 billion every week for direct workers compensation costs for non-fatal workplace injuries. Add in lost work time, decreased productivity, and fatal injuries, the annual cost to employees and individuals can exceed $1 trillion.

Brewing Up Hazards

Avoiding injuries is a simple way to avoid unwanted expenses. The process of brewing beer has a long list of inherent dangers, including burns, pressure, chemical exposure, and many other potential sources of serious injury. Even a taproom, which seems relatively benign, has its safety challenges such as trips and falls, broken glass, musculoskeletal injuries, even armed robbery. In general, smaller businesses tend to have higher rates of injuries than larger businesses.

The ROI of Safety

With these risks, there is also opportunity. Brewery owners who invest in effective training and safety programs can help to reduce workplace injuries, and reduce the costs associated with them. Prioritizing workplace safety as demonstrated by detailed, written procedures and documented, and effective training programs can lead to a direct reduction in workers’ compensation premiums.

Tools to Get You Started

Developing an effective safety plan and establishing an environment that minimizes the possibility of workplace injuries is, of course, easier said than done. Small brewery owners often lack financial resources and face difficult demands on their time. However, there are resources that offer help.

• The Small Business Safety and Health Handbook is a one stop shop that provides self-inspection checklists for employers to identify workplace hazards, and reviews key workplace safety and health resources for small businesses.
• Too busy to read the 98-page Handbook? The OSHA-NIOSH Small Business Checklist App is a free tool for busy owners and managers that features checklists and other workplace safety and health resources for small businesses.
• Looking for brewery specific information? The Brewers Association Hazard Assessment Principles is a great place to start when developing or improving brewery safety programs.

Proactive safety practices that protect employees help reduce financial risk. Safety improvements can also lead to greater productivity and profitability. Keeping your workers safe is not just a compliance issue; it’s a smart business decision.