Opinion
A Look at How Utah Companies Can Be Proactive About Workplace Safety
Utah’s economy is a beehive of activity. From the booming tech scene of Silicon Slopes to the robust construction and manufacturing sectors, our state is a national leader in growth and innovation. But this rapid expansion brings with it a host of new challenges, and none is more important than ensuring the safety and well-being of our growing workforce. In a state that values community and hard work, creating a culture of proactive safety is not just a legal requirement; it’s the hallmark of a great Utah business.
A key component of this proactive stance is securing your physical perimeter. A professional, secure checkpoint at the entrance to your facility is your first line of defense. High-quality guard booths are not just a deterrent; they are a tangible symbol to your employees and visitors that their safety is your top priority from the moment they arrive on your property. But a truly proactive approach extends far beyond the front gate.
It’s about moving from a reactive, “check-the-box” mentality to a culture where safety is a shared and celebrated value.
Go Beyond Compliance with a Formal Safety Management System
Meeting the minimum requirements of workplace safety is the baseline, not the goal. The most successful Utah companies go a step further by implementing a formal, documented Safety and Health Management System. This is a comprehensive, company-wide strategy for identifying, preventing, and controlling workplace hazards.This isn’t just a good idea; it’s a smart business move. The Utah Labor Commission, which oversees Utah OSHA (UOSH), offers voluntary programs that recognize companies with exemplary safety systems. Participation can not only lead to a safer workplace but can also result in lower workers’ compensation insurance premiums. It’s a win-win for your employees and your bottom line.
Address Utah-Specific Environmental Risks
A great safety plan isn’t generic; it’s tailored to the specific and unique risks of your local environment. For a Utah business, this means having a plan for:
- Summer Heat: For any company with employees working outdoors, from construction to landscaping, having a formal training program on recognizing and preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke is essential.
- Winter Weather: This includes having a clear safe driving policy for employees who must travel during winter storms, especially through mountain passes and canyons. It also means a rigorous slip and fall prevention plan for your own parking lots and walkways.
- Air Quality: During periods of winter inversion or summer wildfire smoke, having a plan to protect your employees is crucial. This could involve providing high-quality masks for outdoor workers or upgrading the air filtration systems in your buildings.
Empower Employees with a Peer-Led Safety Committee
A safety culture that is dictated entirely from the top down will never be as effective as one that has the active buy-in of your entire team. One of the best ways to achieve this is to create a voluntary, peer-led safety committee.
This group, made up of employees from all different departments and levels of the company, can be empowered to conduct monthly safety walk-throughs to identify potential hazards, review “near-miss” reports, suggest practical solutions, and help to plan and promote safety training events.
When your employees have a real voice and a sense of ownership in the safety program, they become its most passionate and effective advocates.
Make Training Continuous and Engaging
The annual, hour-long safety video is one of the least effective training methods ever invented. To make safety training stick, it needs to be continuous, relevant, and engaging.
Instead of a single, long session, implement short, daily or weekly “toolbox talks.” This is a quick, five-minute meeting at the start of a shift where a supervisor can discuss a specific hazard related to that day’s work. This makes the training immediate and practical. This kind of frequent, bite-sized training is far more effective at building a lasting safety mindset.
In Utah’s dynamic and growing economy, the companies that will lead the future are the ones that make the well-being of their people their top priority. A proactive safety culture is not a cost; it’s a powerful investment in building a more resilient, more productive, and more respected Utah business.
