Employees are far more likely to suffer an injury at home, on the road or during leisure activities than on the job. Off-the-job injuries vastly outnumber those suffered on the job. The Canada Safety Council estimates that 90 per cent of the injuries that keep employees away from work occur outside the workplace. In some organizations, off-the-job-injuries resulting in absenteeism outnumber those suffered on the job by a ratio of as much as 20 to 1.

The absence of a capable employee may jeopardize important schedules. The company may have to spend time and resources to hire and train a new person. Whether or not the injured person is replaced, it's likely productivity will suffer. In cases of prolonged absence, corporate disability insurance premiums may go up.

Safety Should Always Be "On"

Safety is not a switch that is turned on at work. Employees have fewer on-the-job accidents when safety is part of their value system and lifestyle.

It really doesn't matter where the accident occurs. It is to no one's benefit if an employee is lost temporarily or even permanently. Even an injury to a family member may require an employee to take time off as care giver. That is why smart businesses are moving to a holistic approach to employee safety and wellness, encompassing not only the individual but the family.

Each year, the cost to business is about $400 per employee to cover health care costs and related expenses resulting from off-the-job accidents to employees and their families, most of which could have been prevented. Investing in a strong off-the-job safety program has been shown to reduce these costs significantly.

Driving

Motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of preventable deaths and injuries. Drivers of corporate vehicles — from truck drivers to sales reps with company cars — should be trained in safe driving techniques. However, defensive driving programs should not be limited to those whose job puts them behind the wheel. Many employees drive to and from work and during off-work hours.

It's not always the guilty driver who suffers the death, injury, financial loss or inconvenience. A driver improvement program such as CSC's Defensive Driving Course prepares participants to deal with the unsafe actions of other motorists or for poor driving conditions.

Personal Protection

Industrial workers may need hard hats, respirators or steel-toed boots to protect themselves from job related hazards. For office workers, protective equipment is more of an issue in their leisure activities than their workplace.

For those who enjoy cycling, a helmet is de rigeur to prevent a concussion. Squash players need eye protection. In hockey, Canada's most popular amateur sport, the necessary protective equipment includes a helmet as well as face and eye protection. Those who enjoy boating and other water sports must use PFDs (and, of course, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while on the water).

Do-it-yourselfers can risk falling off a ladder, getting a wood chip or chemical in the eye, inhaling particles or toxins into the lungs, cutting a finger, or worse. Many disabling injuries can be prevented by using properly maintained equipment and wearing personal protection.

Fire Safety

Workplaces must remove fire hazards and safeguard any combustible materials. Fire extinguishers, escape routes and an evacuation plan are essential. Expanding fire safety awareness to the home is particularly important, because that is where three-quarters of all fire-related deaths occur. Encourage regular testing and replacement of smoke alarm batteries, and a family fire escape plan.

Hygiene

Some workplaces post a sign in the washroom reminding employees to wash and dry their hands thoroughly, a simple practice that prevents germs from spreading.

Whether in the company cafeteria or the family kitchen, bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella can be a hazard. Young children and individuals with health problems such as diabetes can be particularly vulnerable. Food poisoning is not uncommon, especially in the warmer weather. Sometimes it is identified only as an "illness" that leads to an absence of a couple of days. Cleanliness and safe cooking practices can generally prevent such incidents.

Canada Safety Council Resources

Regular safety meetings offer a forum to discuss extensions of workplace safety practices into personal time. Here are some practical resources to enhance your existing program or provide a starting point for an off-the-job safety program.

• Take advantage of the wealth of information on CSC's Web site. Documents can be used with credit in company newsletters or paycheck stuffers, or hotlinked in safety e-messages.
• Living Safety, CSC's quarterly magazine, features timely consumer information on safety on the road, in the home and at leisure for all members of the family. Subscribing in bulk so each employee takes a copy home is an inexpensive way to enhance safety consciousness.
• Free public awareness materials may be available from the Canada Safety Council. As a member you receive samples of these, and may request quantities for distribution within your organization.
• With summer travel around the corner, safe driving is a concern. Giving employees CSC's Defensive Driving Course sends a practical pre-vacation safety message.

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