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safety & education

Building a Strong Safety Culture
Building a Strong Saf ety Culture
to Reduce Work-Related Injurie s
to Reduce Work-Related Injurie
s
By: Matthew E. Gaston, CIC-Fairway Risk Solutions, Inc.
By: Matthew E. Gaston, CIC-Fairway Risk Solutions, Inc.
ccording to the Travelers Injury Impact For propane dealers, this translates to a stable work-
Report, propane distributors face a variety force, fewer sick days, and improved productivity.
of risks, many of which lead to significant To support your safety initiatives, explore resources
Aworkplace injuries. Common incidents in- like:
clude back injuries from lifting heavy cylinders, slips Travelers Injury Impact Report (https://investor.
and falls, and burns from handling pressurized gases. travelers.com/newsroom/press-releases/news-de-
These accidents have a profound financial impact on tails/2024/Travelers-Publishes-2024-Injury-Im-
propane dealers, as injury claims are costly, and the pact-Report/default.aspx)
ripple effect of lost productivity can be damaging.
The report reveals that injury claims are among the Propane Education & Research Council: Propane
highest costs for businesses in this sector, with many Safety (https://propane.com/safety/)
incidents being preventable through better safety National Safety Council (https://www.nsc.org)
practices. A safer workplace not only protects your
The key to reducing injuries lies in creating employees but also strengthens your business’s bot-
a robust safety culture—one that starts with owners tom line.■
and management. Leadership must prioritize safety
in every aspect of operations, not just compliance. New PEP Training Programs
When executives and managers visibly commit to Available from PERC
safety, it sets a tone that resonates throughout the
company. Employees who see their leaders walk the The Propane Research Council (PERC) is
talk are more likely to take safety protocols seriously, continuing the process of replacing old training
report hazards, and avoid risky shortcuts. Regular courses with new programs under the Propane Ed-
safety meetings, continuous training, and empow- ucation Program (PEP). The old Cathodic Protection
ering employees to speak up about safety concerns Training and Bobtail Rollover Prevention training
are essential to cultivating a proactive safety mind- programs have officially been retired from the PERC
set. library.
Financial and Operational Benefits of Safety The new training programs, Corrosion
Investment Prevention and Prevent Rollover Accidents, can be
found on propane.com in PERC's Learning Center.
Investing in safety is not just about com- We encourage you to use the links below to share
pliance; it’s a smart financial decision. The upfront the new PEP training program offerings with your
costs of safety training, protective equipment, and employees:
regular audits pale in comparison to the expenses
associated with workplace injuries. For example, Corrosion Prevention: this training program helps
businesses that prioritize safety see fewer workers' learners understand what corrosion is and how to
compensation claims, lower insurance premiums, effectively prevent aboveground and underground
and reduced legal liabilities. Furthermore, maintain- steel containers and piping from corroding.
ing a strong safety record often improves operation- Prevent Rollover Accidents: this training is intend-
al efficiency—fewer accidents mean less downtime ed for truck drivers and is part of the Safe Driving
and smoother daily operations. program. It covers the preventative measures to
take to avoid rollover accidents while operating a
Companies that invest in safety also tend to
have better employee retention and morale. Work- propane delivery truck, the different causes of roll-
ers appreciate knowing their well-being is a priority. over accidents, how to avoid a rollover, and more.■

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