(This column originally appeared in the Inquirer)
Seventy-five percent of small businesses experienced at least one workplace injury in the past year, according to the 2025 State of Workplace Safety Report from small business insurer PIE Insurance.
These incidents can be expensive. A third of the small businesses surveyed by PIE reported injury-related expenses exceeding $20,000 annually. Liberty Mutual’s 2025 Workplace Safety Index found that workplace injuries cost U.S. businesses $50.87 billion annually.
Overexertion, falls and being struck by objects are among the top causes of accidents. And yet, according to both reports, workplace injuries are mostly preventable.
So how can you ensure that your workers are as safe as possible?
Take it seriously
Implementing strong safety programs always starts with managers who understand their employees, the work they’re doing, and the potential hazards involved.
“Safety is about decision-making, equipment purchases, work methods and scheduling — not just worker behavior,” Erin Rymsa, director of health and safety at Compliance Management International, a safety consulting firm in Lansdale. “Companies with good leadership really know their people and know their processes and because of that they understand their hazards and risks.”
Like Erin, Chris Ulriksen, a director of HazTek Safety Management in Medford, says that safety is not just about compliance. It’s about engagement and culture.
“Workplace safety should not be treated as an ‘add-on’ … it must be part of the culture from top to bottom,” he said. “Leadership must model good safety behavior for everyone to follow and everyone — from the C-Suite on down — needs to really have a stake in the game.”
Form a safety committee
Both Rymsa and Ulriksen say that a good safety committee should include members from all major functional areas (e.g., maintenance, production, quality, human resources) and at least one executive manager as an adviser. The committee must have the authority to make real changes and avoid becoming a complaint box. Meetings should be regularly scheduled and taken seriously, with agendas, minutes, written tasks and subsequent communications to the entire workforce.
“You need a good mix of employees and management,” Rymsa said. “It’s critical to have decision-makers involved that can push safety forward with the empowerment of employees.”
Rymsa also recommends focusing on the top hazards facing the company.
“The committee should be reviewing injury histories, workers’ compensation costs, and other issues experienced in the past,” she said.
She also points out that certain industries have unique challenges.
“Manufacturers may have concerns over chemical exposure, material handling and racking systems and equipment safety. Construction companies will need to be focused on job-site factors like weather, equipment used, and electrical and plumbing concerns.”
Invest in training
Employers should hold regular safety training sessions for their workforce.
“Training has to be personalized,” Ulriksen said. “It’s important to provide training in the workers’ language and style they understand. Today’s employees need to digest their information in concise, accessible formats, like short videos and concise written materials.”
Ulriksen also urges his clients to be prepared with specialized training in first aid and CPR.
“Companies should have relationships with their local EMS, fire, and police so they know the facility and potential hazards,” he said. “It’s also important to maintain a written emergency response plan tailored to your company’s risks.”
Have a reporting process
A clear reporting process will also ensure that problems are raised to the appropriate managers. This doesn’t have to be complicated.
“For a small business an online spreadsheet is fine for reporting and will go a long way to ensure that all incidents or hazards reports are tracked and addressed,” Ulriksen said. “A good reporting system will also ensure that the loop is closed and that reporting employees are notified when an issue is resolved.”
Both Ulriksen and Rymsa say that the best place to start your safety program is with low-hanging fruit.
Most businesses have certain safety issues that are obvious and can be easily addressed. For example, wet floors or poor lighting could cause slipping and are fixable through better lighting, cleaning and monitoring. Fire extinguishers can be checked and replaced. Flammable items can be properly stored away from heat sources. Damaged electrical cords and poorly maintained equipment can be identified and fixed.
“Slip, trip, and fall hazards, fire prevention and emergency egress, material handling … that’s where we get a lot of severe injury,” Rymsa said.
Don’t ignore it
Not paying attention to safety will have its consequences.
Rymsa says that she knows of many larger companies that will not work with small companies with poor safety records.
I’ve personally had a number of clients over the years who found themselves visited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors not because of a surprise visit but because their employees — both current and former — reported them.
Fines were incurred but even more damaging is the impact this type of experience can have on partner and customer relationships. And it can damage the company’s perception among both current and prospective employees. Resources are available.
Get help
OSHA runs free consultation programs for small business owners in which inspectors can visit your workplace and make recommendations for compliance. Many insurance companies also provide consultation services. Independent safety consulting firms like Rymsa and Ulriksen’s also are knowledgeable.
Ulriksen says that small businesses can leverage free and low-cost resources like OSHA’s Small Business Toolkit, the National Safety Council, the American Society of Safety Professionals, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
