Zero injury program

Zero Injury Philosophy Overview

For many years, companies have been working diligently to reduce worker injury in the workplace. While much improvement has been made, injuries continue to happen. Many companies have accepted the thought that worker injury is an inherent part of the business. The Zero Injury Philosophy challenges each and everyone to make a paradigm shift in the way we accept injuries as a part of doing business. The phrase that “injuries happen” does not mean that injuries “are acceptable”. The Zero Injury Philosophy is a thought process that if a worker can work one day without an injury, the worker can work each and every additional day injury free. The fact that an injury occurs does not mean it is acceptable to the organization. In addition to the paradigm shift, the Zero Injury Philosophy foundation believes that all workers need to understand and know the true cost of worker injuries..not only the direct costs, but the indirect costs of injuries. When workers truly understand how the costs of injuries impact the overall bottom line of the company, they feel empowered to be part of the solution rather than to think incident prevention is the sole responsibility of the safety department.

The Zero Injury Concept was first published by the Construction Industry Institute in the fall of 1993. The CII Report 32.1 “Zero Injury Techniques” revealed the research CII had performed. The report identified five critical zero injury safety management techniques with over 20 sub-techniques. The research showed that those companies who utilized the Zero Injury Techniques achieved better safety performance results than those who did not utilize the techniques. The five techniques include:

1. Pre-Project and Pre-Task Safety Planning
2. Safety Orientation and Training
3. Accident & Incident Investigation
4. Written Safety Incentive Program
5. Alcohol and Substance Abuse Testing

Since the report in 1993, several contractors using the zero injury safety techniques continued to improve. Soon some contractors were experiencing projects with Zero Recordable injuries, thus indicating the need for additional research. In 2001, the CII Task Force “Making Zero Injuries a Reality” added four additional key safety management techniques. These nine CII Zero Injury safety management techniques are as follows:

1. Demonstrated management commitment
2. Staffing for safety
3. Safety planning
4. Safety training and education
5. Worker participation and involvement
6. Recognition and rewards
7. Sub-contractor management
8. Accident/Incident reporting and investigation
9. Drug and alcohol testing

The Zero Injury Philosophy is not a program it is a process. Eliminating worker injury is a company value not a priority. Priorities can change. CII research has found that companies who imbed the Zero Injury Techniques see a return on investment from 300 to 500%. Contact Hilmerson Safety Services, Inc. to learn how you can implement a Zero Injury Program so workers can go home at the end of the day and so you can add money to your bottom line.

Click here to learn about the Zero Injury Certification process...