Safety Statistics - What Are They Telling Us?

Whilst the compilation of safety statistics can point us toward our “next” disabling incident, the amount of time, energy, and effort that goes into keeping accurate statistics is seemingly, in most industry professional’s opinion a contributing factor toward safety ignorance.

Why make such an outrageous claim?

The majority of organizations, mines, and companies are in “BUSINESS” business equates to profit or return on investment.  The last thing incumbent investors and stakeholders need is the hour ratios, or minutes.  This could possibly be a drag on production and/or profits.

  The statistics build a silent and secretive animosity toward Occupational Health and Safety by senior management and stakeholders alike.  “What is nice is not always best” “A Necessary pain”, or, “Part of the cost of ore”

Safety statistics could be, better served when measured against productivity, quantitative measurement the ideal for all financial managers.  Safety programs have a major impact on productivity, down time due to incidents are costly and positive productivity is negligible.  What is the cost of safety per can of beans or ton of ore?

The ratio – Output         the greatest measurement every safety professional should be using.

                     Input

The accumulative cost associated with the safety effort and program can be hidden or masked in other operational budgets, whilst some organizations have a budgetary cost centre called “Compliance” this will always present a skewed projection on the provisional income statement.

A Business approach to Safety is essential!