Thinkstock
Image

Productivity Takes Precedent Over Employee Health and Safety, Survey Finds

June 20, 2016
Of the 2,000 employees surveyed across the nation, 60 percent of those in the construction industry and 52 percent from agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, felt safety was less of a priority than finishing job-related tasks.

Employees in high-risk industries are choosing productivity over their own health and safety, according to survey results from the National Safety Council.

Of the 2,000 employees surveyed across the nation, 60 percent of those in the construction industry and 52 percent from agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, felt safety was less of a priority than finishing job-related tasks. Those particular industries are in the top two when it comes to the number of occupational deaths each year. Among all respondents, the number was 33 percent.

“Every employee deserves a safe workplace,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council in a press statement. “While some of our findings were encouraging, others were a stark reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure safety is every employer’s highest priority.”

The survey is based on the NSC’s Employer Perception Surveys.

The number of workplace deaths in 2014 was as high as it has been since 2008, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 4,800 workers died from incidents such as car crashes, slips, trips and falls, contact with objects or equipment and exposure to harmful substances.

Other key survey findings include:

  • 49 percent of temporary and contract workers, and 41 percent of employees working in healthcare settings, said they were afraid to report safety issues.
  • 62 percent of construction workers, and those in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, believe management does only the minimum required by law to keep employees safe.
  • 61 percent of employees in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry say there is resistance to working safely among employees.
  • 70 percent of employees say safety training is part of their orientation and that employee health and well-being is promoted at work.

Full survey results and methodology are available here, and National Safety Month materials and information are available at nsc.org/Safe4Life

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!