OSHA Publishes White Paper on Sustainability in the Workplace

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a new white paper on sustainability in the workplace. Titled "Sustainability in the Workplace: a New Approach for Protecting Worker Safety and Health," the white paper focused on sustainability and its associated benefits in regards to worker safety.

When you think of sustainable practices, worker safety probably doesn't come to mind. After all, most companies embrace sustainability for one of several reasons, including reduced waste, improved brand image, and greater public relations. They typically do not, however, embrace sustainability to protect workers from injuries and illness.

Nonetheless, it's estimated that tens of thousands of workers are seriously injured each year in the United States. These injuries range from scratches and cuts, to more serious injuries like broken bones, amputations and vision loss. OSHA has been around for decades, with the primary goal of protecting workers from injury and illness. According to its latest white paper published by OSHA, sustainability and worker safety go hand in hand.

So, what steps can you take to create a safer workplace using sustainable practices? OSHA recommends the following:

• Establish partnerships to support integrated worker safety and health activities along with sustainability activities.
• Enhance interdisciplinary training and education for workers, as well as the workplace safety community and business professionals.
• Acknowledge individuals who integrate workplace safety efforts into their organizations' sustainability efforts.
• Improve access to safety and health data for sustainability reporting.

When speaking about the subject, OSHA's David Micheals explained that more and more businesses are embracing the concept of sustainability. This isn't a trend that's likely to go away anytime soon, either.

“It is clear that more and more businesses are building the concept of sustainability into their operations,” said OSHA administrator David Michaels. “We believe the next innovation is integrating worker safety and health into these sustainability strategies.”

Of course, some people may argue that sustainability costs money (and time) to implement. While true, you have to view the practice as an investment. Like any investment, sustainability will cost time and money to implement. In the long run, however, it will prove well worth the effort. Embracing sustainability can protect workers from disease and illness, while also improving productivity and efficiency. These are just a few reasons why companies should embrace sustainability in their workplace.

What are your thoughts on OSHA new white paper?