OSHA Makes the Business Case for Safety and Health

OSHA Press Release: October 5, 2006

OSHA Makes the Business Case for Safety and Health
Agency Unveils New Safety and Health Topics Page

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today launched a new topics page on its Web site aimed at demonstrating that investment in workplace safety and health makes good business sense.

Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, a new Safety and Health Topic, is a product of several Alliances with OSHA, including the American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, National Federation of Independent Business, among others. Information on the page focuses on how a comprehensive safety program can help an employer save money and improve business.

"OSHA continues to seek ways to offer services and programs that assist and guide employers on the responsible path to occupational safety and health," said OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke. "This new Safety and Health Topics page serves as a ‘one stop shopping’ tool for information on how investing in workplace safety and health can improve a company’s productivity and bottom line."

The Making the Business Case for Safety and Health Topics page contains direct links to resources showing the costs of workplace injuries and illnesses, economic benefits of workplace safety and health, and how accounting for employee safety in the design stage of a project can result in fewer injuries and illnesses and increased productivity.

The Topics page has a number of additional resources, including success stories, case studies and tools for getting started on improving safety and health in the workplace.

OSHA's Web site includes approximately 200 Safety and Health Topics pages on various workplace issues—from accident investigation to workplace violence. The subjects of the pages include specific workplace hazards, as well as individual industries, and provide assistance for complying with OSHA standards.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.