Providing occupational safety pays: paying attention to safety regulations allows for lower turnover, higher productivity and less stress on the job.

• Author: Myers, Deborah J.

Keeping employees safe is not only the law, but also it makes practical business sense.

Employees will be happier and the cost of doing business may decrease.

"Having a safe workplace adds a lot of value to a business," said Richard Terrill, regional administrator for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, region 10, which includes Alaska. "If employees are not getting hurt, you're going to be more profitable."

OSHA lays down most of the guidelines for how the workplace should be, but it's your job to make that happen.

"A lot of times people feel the government should ensure employees safety and health," said Eric Shortt, a certified industrial hygienist in An chorage. Before becoming an independent consultant, Shortt worked with OSHA for 20 years, 16 of which were in Alaska.

Chris Burns, safety and compliance manager for Environmental Management Inc. in Anchorage, believes the most important part of maintaining a safe working environment is a commitment by the company. "You can send people to training and document the training, but if you don't have the corporate commitment to it, it'll go down the tubes."

Any company that has more than one employee and that is not regulated by another federal agency (such as the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Energy), falls under OSHA jurisdiction.

"If there's any doubt, call OSHA," Terrill said.

At the most basic level, companies must hang an OSHA poster in a place accessible to all employees to make them aware of their fights to a safe workplace. For companies of 11 or more employees, accident and illness records must be kept.

"Beyond that, it depends on the industry," Terrill said. "My advice would be that if an employer is unsure what they have to do to comply with the law, they should contact the OSHA office or a consultant.

"We would be happy to help them comply. We don't want companies to fear that if they call, we will come inspect. Calling won't trigger an inspection."

In some industries, the sheer volume of regulations can be dizzying. Add to that state specific guidelines and safety doesn't seem like such a simple issue. However, compliance is an achievable goal if you understand your hazards, seek outside expert help and develop an internal safety program.

"A lot of times Alaska is one of the most dangerous places to work statistically," Shortt said.

Classic Alaska industries-such as fishing, logging and those that rely upon aircraft-unfairly alter the...