More than $40 billion is spent each year by American companies in relations to workplace accidents. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2015.
Companies are now realizing one of their best investments is in workplace safety.
Today, more and more companies are implementing safety communications as a core value to create a safer and healthier work environment for their employees. And for good reason.
They’re learning that by investing in an effective safety program, employees experience an improvement with morale, loyalty and productivity — all while improving the bottom line.
The modern workforce continues to become more distributed — where employees spend significant portions of their work week outside a traditional working environment. Reaching both stationed and remote employees is a challenge, especially through traditional means of employee communication such as email, company message boards and static signs. Yet, safety communication is still a priority.
Investing in a safety communication solution that includes digital signage is vital, and here’s why:
Safety Signage ROI
Safety signage communications programs produce solid return on investment and are good business practice for a firm’s longevity. A study by OSHA discovered that companies see a return of $4-6 for every dollar invested.
Digital signage can attract, engage and retain employees. Businesses not only begin to significantly reduce injuries and illnesses, but over a short period of time, the savings from the investment cover the initial costs of installation and begin to have a positive impact on the financial bottom line.
Increase employee engagement and productivity
When businesses invest in a healthier and safer workplace, it ultimately produces happier employees and engenders company-wide trust.
Internal communication enables a more productive work environment. With increased safety knowledge such as tips, reminders or warnings around the office, distribution centers, factories, and other areas, employees will feel confident to meet their production deadlines or finish their tasks. Digital signage can also be a tool of oversight that reminds employees that their performance is being monitored.
Reach 100% of employees
Since many companies have a diverse and global workforce, embracing the digital world allows safety communications to effectively and efficiently reach 100% of employees.
Providing a quick and easy way to send regular updates on employee and safety performance is one of the many advantages of using digital signage for safety messaging.
Digital signage is more versatile and can also reach a mobile workforce. Some digital signage content management systems integrate with mobile and desktop applications, so messages can be distributed to all employees working outside of an office or building such as field workers.
Relevant, real-time data
Traditional methods of internal communication like signs, posters or occasional meetings/trainings have limited reach. With safety information changing rapidly, it’s up to the company to spread the information as quickly as possible.
Safety communication through digital signage has a greater ability to reach all employees with real-time reporting, safety warnings, alerts or emergency updates when and wherever they are via digital displays, mobile devices and desktop messaging. The lag time is eliminated, and employees feel safer doing their jobs when they receive instant updates about potential emergency hazards or personal safety warnings.
It’s important for employers to take the necessary steps to protect their employees by keeping safety at the forefront of their internal communication strategy with up-to-the minute data that reaches 100% of their employees, despite their location. Broadcasting safety messages through digital signage can make that happen.
