Ten years is a long time. How long? To give you an idea, in 2007:

• Steve Jobs introduced the very first iPhone. Since then, our team of Safety Fanatics has been continually adapting to the dynamic topic of cell phone safety.
• The Virginia Tech shooting became one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history. This sobering event reminded us of the importance of preparing the workforce for a worst case scenario.
• The Dow Jones closed at a record high of over 14,000 and wouldn't be topped again until 2013. As businesses struggled to recover from the financial crisis, preventing injuries and saving money on work comp coverage became more important than ever.

How do we do it?
It takes dedication and creativity to shape the safety culture that has kept our workplace safe for ten years and counting. We start by applying many of the same safety policies we encourage for our policyholders: Employees sign agreements for seat belt, drug and alcohol policies.

We also host on-site safety trainings. Because traffic accidents are the leading cause of death on the job in all business sectors, MEM's Defensive Driving course is required for all employees. We also bring in outside experts on a variety of topics like ergonomics, active shooter preparedness, bicycle safety, fire extinguisher training, vehicle and tire inspection, and personal defense.

Central to our safety culture is our “Safety Fanatics” program, which outlines a corporate target for all employees to complete a set number of safety trainings and outreach events. However, many employees go beyond the target-level requirements to reach High Impact or Extraordinary levels. The program also encourages employees to engage in safety-related activities with the larger community, and provides opportunities for peer-to-peer recognition when someone is caught “in the act” of going out of their way to ensure a safe workplace.

MEM's free workplace safety resources are available to everyone. Follow the links in the article, or find general safety information here.

Source: Missouri Employers Mutual WorkSAFE Center