Global Safety Week - A Safety Culture in Organizations Reaps Huge Benefits

    HOUSTON, TX, May 06, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The devastating Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 was a grave reminder of the potential consequences of industrial accidents. Degradation of machinery has caused personnel injury as well as fatalities. In addition to the tragedy of the loss of human life, economic losses as a result have numbered in the billions.

The Chernobyl incident illustrated that in addition to potential injuries to workers and the resulting loss in profits, inadequate safety procedures could have an adverse effect on the health and safety of the general public as well. This realization gave rise to the concept of corporate "safety culture".

MIT Professor, business organization expert and author Edgar Schein has studied and written extensively on this important subject. According to the fourth edition of his best-selling book "Organizational Culture and Leadership" the elements of an organizational culture include beliefs, values, attitudes and artefacts.

In a well-developed and successful safety culture, the beliefs, values and attitude are manifested through behaviors and the production of artefacts that reflect them. Behaviors might include weekly safety meetings in which worker concerns are discussed and information regarding the condition of machinery is presented. Artefacts may include safety process and procedures manuals or safety awards presented to workers with great safety records.

According to their website, OSHA issued approximately 94,000 citations in 2014. The maximum penalty for serious safety violations is $7000, but a company can be fined up to $70,000 for a repeated or willful violation. And fines for some companies have been in the millions. However, avoiding fines for safety violations is just one cost-saving benefit of developing and implementing a safety culture in your organization. Other benefits include fewer costly injuries, lower insurance premiums, and higher worker morale and retention. Higher retention means cost savings on training.

Qualaco, Inc. has over 50 years of experience in developing quality management systems that successfully create the consistency required for OHSAS 18001 certification. A certified culture of occupational health and safety results not only in improving your corporate reputation and attracting investors, but preventing costly safety incidents and potential shutdowns. Our experts can help your organization increase profits while making safety a top priority.

According to Lori Lyerly of Qualaco, "A company will realize vast benefits and profits with an organizational Safety Culture, one that is a priorty, embraced and is a foundation for all employees verse that of a stand alone program."

About Qualaco, Inc.
Qualaco, Inc. is a Houston based consulting company dedicated to providing clients in the many business sectors with modern management systems. Qualaco empowers businesses striving to master and profit from the demonstrated value of ISO 9001, 14001, 50001, 18001 certification or other essential International certifications.

Learn more about Qualaco's services by visiting their website at http://www.qualaco.com or phoning (855) 919-1623.

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