AWWA JAW10077

Since the number and severity of on-the-job accidents in the water utility industry exceed the figures for industry as a whole, this author stresses the importance for safety programs. This article discusses the costs of accidents and proposes that a good safety program takes less money to operate than paying for on-the-job accidents. Apart from the direct expenses normally connected with worker injuries are the hidden costs of accidents, such as training new workers, supervisors' time spent in coping with the accidents, claims resulting from accidents, legal fees, and medical costs not covered by insurance. Such costs are far greater than the cost of safety training programs that have proved effective in reducing the number and severity of on-the-job injuries. Includes 2 references, tables.