The first things to bite the dust in a slow economy are safety incentives and maintenance programs. Business owners and managers just cannot see spending money on that safety officer or safety training for the employees when cash is tight, and they need to buy materials. So, the superintendent or supervisor doubles as the safety oversight; employee safety training shrinks to a 10-minute talk when he or she has time, which is rarely; and the new brakes for the company truck will wait until next month.
The company saved money, right? Maybe not.
Cutting back on safety expenses could amount to gambling with not only the health and well-being of workers, but also with the profits and perhaps the company itself when incidents occur. A serious or fatal accident can affect your business reputation and the confidence your customers have in your company. It might even close your business down.