Workplace Safety Do You Agree

Workplace Safety

Do you agree or disagree that ergonomics in the workplace should be covered by federal regulations?

Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe, if not enjoyable, working environment for their employees. Not only are they liable for sudden injuries caused on the job, but employers are also obligated to protect their employees from musculoskeletal disorders that develop over time. There is no reason why OSHA's proposal should be controversial. The only thing preventing business and industry from wholeheartedly embracing the OSHA-sponsored regulations is short-sightedness. Keeping profitability in mind, corporations would better off supporting workplace safety even though it seems more costly in the short-term. Absenteeism, health care costs, and high employee turnover rates are costly consequences of workplace injuries including MSDs. Firms do not need to choose between profitability and workplace safety. Even if that were the case, the ethical choice is clear.

Moreover, retaining employees creates improved morale, which can lead to numerous long-term benefits for any firm. Boosting job satisfaction by offering employees safety nets should they get MSD or offering as many preventative measures as possible will lead to a corporate culture more conducive to long-term profitability. Firms should move away from the prevailing business model that discounts employee satisfaction (and employee health) and shift toward a more holistic vision of business. No industry or organization will fare well for long if they cannot maintain a healthy workforce. Firms and their leaders also have an ethical obligation to provide their employees with the best ergonomic equipment and the latest knowledge about MSDs.