An unsafe workforce can cost a crippling amount in the form of worker’s compensation, sick time and turnover. According to the 2023 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index (WSI), workplace injuries cost U.S. businesses more than $58 billion per year on average.
With June being National Safety Month, it’s important to make sure your employees’ overall health and well-being are a top priority all year. Let's review three focus points for safety month and explore how the strategic use of gift card safety incentives can support this year's safety themes as determined by the National Safety Council.
Read more: How Incentives Work for Safety (& Help Your Program Succeed)
3 Tips for Safety Program Success
1) Safety Programs Start with Employees
Getting employees engaged in safety programs and company-wide initiatives is the easiest way to ensure success. Because employees are the targets of the safety program, make sure that they want to participate, are given an avenue to do so, and an opportunity to provide feedback to management. Allowing employees to directly improve the program gives your workforce an opportunity to have ownership over their own safety.
2) Drive Safety Through Empowerment
Empowering employees to be peer leaders and work with management within their company is a gateway for concise communication to remain constant. Celebrating workplace safety champions is one way to acknowledge and reward outstanding performance. This type of communication also allows for leadership to groom the next generation of managers from the existing employee population.
While safety monitoring can have a stigma associated with it, using peer leadership as a path to promotion provides an opportunity for the workforce and managers to work together for both groups’ benefit. This type of camaraderie helps to close gaps between employee and employer interests and perceived priorities.
3) Focus on Employee Recognition
Rewarding employees both individually and in groups for safe behavior is critical to the reinforcement of any active safety program. Whether you choose to reward a whole team for a certain number of incident-free days or recognize individuals for reporting an unsafe situation, make sure employees know how much safety is valued at your company.
Using flexible rewards like gift cards for on-the-spot recognition is a great way to keep the program spontaneous. Empowering employees to take their family to dinner or curb some household cost through the company creates a long-lasting memory about how that employee was treated. These types of teachable, rewardable moments create a culture of learning, loyalty and safety at all levels.
Promoting Safety Month with Incentives
At GiftCard Partners, we recognize the significance of prioritizing safety initiatives to ensure the well-being of employees. Discover how our Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform can support the weekly themes set by the National Safety Council (NSC) to promote workplace safety during National Safety Month and help reduce the number of work-related injuries in your organization.
Week 1 – Emergency Preparedness
During the first week of June, the focus is on emergency preparedness. At GiftCard Partners, we understand the importance of ensuring that employees are adequately prepared to respond to emergencies in the workplace. Through the Engage2Reward Platform, businesses can incentivize employees to participate in emergency response training and preparedness programs. By offering gift card rewards for completing safety courses related to CPR, AED awareness, and emergency response, businesses can encourage active participation in preparedness initiatives.
Week 2 – Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are common hazards in many work environments. Combined, they account for nearly $17 billion in annual workplace injury costs. During the second week of June, GiftCard Partners encourages businesses to focus on fall prevention and workplace safety. The Engage2Reward Platform can be utilized to reward employees for participating in workplace safety training programs and purchasing safety equipment such as slip-resistant shoes. By offering incentives for maintaining a safe work environment, businesses can reduce the risk of fall-related injuries and create a culture of safety awareness.
Week 3 – Heat-related Illness
As temperatures rise during the summer months, the risk of heat-related illnesses becomes a concern for outdoor and indoor workers alike. GiftCard Partners emphasizes the importance of heat illness prevention in the workplace. Through the Engage2Reward Platform, businesses can incentivize employees to participate in heat stress prevention training and hydration programs. By offering gift card rewards for completing training modules and promoting awareness of heat-related risks, businesses can protect employee health and safety during periods of extreme heat.
Week 4 – Hazard Recognition
Identifying workplace hazards is essential for preventing injuries and ensuring a safe work environment. The Engage2Reward Platform can be used to incentivize employees to participate in hazard reporting and prevention programs. By offering rewards for reporting hazards and actively contributing to safety initiatives, businesses can create a proactive safety culture and reduce the risk of workplace accidents.
Conclusion
National Safety Month serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace. GiftCard Partners is committed to supporting businesses in their efforts to promote safety awareness and create a culture of safety excellence. Through our Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform, businesses can incentivize employees to participate in safety training, hazard recognition programs, and emergency preparedness initiatives. Together, we can work towards creating safer and healthier workplaces for all.
Planning for success in your safety incentive program? Check out our Safety eBook for tips.
