Successful Loss Prevention
The key to a successful loss prevention program is active, visible leadership. Operating an effective loss prevention program helps protect your business from:
- Disruption in workflow and productivity
- Additional administrative costs
- Decreased employee morale and increased turnover
- Possible legal problems
- Penalties from OSHA or other regulatory agencies
Four crucial elements to successful loss prevention
| 1. |
Assign a designated safety coordinator
Choose an employee that is familiar with your operations and is dedicated to making your work environment safe. Key responsibilities include:
- Helping with hiring, especially physical job requirements
- Analyzing accidents
- Analyzing safety data and injury trends
- Providing safety training
- Leading safety committee meetings
- Reinforcing company policies
- Responding to emergencies
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| 2. |
Implement good hiring practices
- Match employees' skills to their job requirements to make workplace injuries less likely.
- Require applicants to undergo pre-employment physicals and drug and alcohol testing.
- Make sure job descriptions include physical demands and environmental exposures.
- Be aware of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act to avoid discrimination.
- Steer clear of undocumented workers.
- Train employees on injury prevention in new employee orientation.
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| 3. |
Establish a reliable written safety program
Develop a program that describes the safest way to work, sets measurable goals and performance standards, and monitors annual progress.
To clearly define your goals and make safety a priority for your organization, develop your own loss prevention program.
View example program (Word)  |
| 4. |
Schedule regular training to influence employees' behaviors
Safety orientation and job-specific training are vital to preventing injuries. Training ensures employees are familiar with the hazards of the workplace. Encourage your safety committee to conduct the training, when appropriate.
Essential training topics include:
- Employee right-to-know
- Lockout/Tagout
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Forklift
- Proper lifting
- Body mechanics
- Ergonomics
- Ladder
- Fall protection
- Excavation
- Electrical
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For educational resources you can use to aid in training, visit SFM's Resource Catalog where you can download or order a variety of handouts, posters and more.
For specific questions about loss prevention contact your SFM loss prevention representative at (952) 838-4200 or (800) 937-1181.
View full detail on successful loss prevention (PDF) |
Related SFM resources
These resources, plus more on other topics, are available in SFM’s Resource Catalog. |
