This article is on how to deliver safety on the cheap, or perhaps I should say “frugal.” But don’t get me wrong: I’m not talking about downgrading your safety program in these tight budget times. I just want to offer some suggestions for what you can do in a less expensive way. I had a “good” experience once with an employer that was in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It’s amazing how you can make do. Let me share with you some tips.

10 Penny Pinching Tips for Safety Professionals

1. Hit up the sales reps. Don’t be shy about asking sales reps for safety posters that they produce for their own plants. I always tell vendors that I don’t care if the poster for blood-borne pathogen safety has their company name on it; it’s still BBP safety. Ditto for the guy who sells fasteners or anything else. Ask your purchasing/materials department to do the same. The worst a sales rep can do is say no.

2. Buy used or discontinued models. Next time you need to buy an air monitor or dosimeter, ask for the demo model or discontinued models. This tip applies to many other safety supplies.

3. Conduct a safety exchange. Swap safety posters with other area employers or sister plants or even your local safety group.

4. Ask insurers for materials. Experience tells me many property, product liability and workers’ compensation insurers, etc., do not offer brochures, videos and the like, unless you ask for them. So be sure to ask. Again, the worst anyone can say is no.

5. Get training and operation manuals upfront. Before your employer commits to the purchase of any new machinery, chemicals or materials, be sure that the vendor provides videos, PowerPoints, handouts or actual training time for the operation of the new stuff first. For some reason, salespeople don’t offer these freebies up front. (I suspect they hold them back as an ace in the hole to clinch a deal, but only deliver if needed. So ask!)

6. Look to public bodies for freebies. Contact your city or county’s emergency management, the police and fire departments, City Hall, public health, etc.. These public bodies have a lot of handouts and, if your location is heavily ethnic, often the material is bilingual. I once had a clinic donate a spine model for my lifting/ergonomics safety training. It saved me a bundle!

7. Be a saver! For example, a worn HazMat suit can be used for training (only). And expired medical supplies will work for a simulation. Important note: Be sure these items are marked as such and stored securely.

8. Barter your services. If there’s a college in the area, see if they have any materials to share. In exchange, you could offer to be a guest speaker at a safety-related class.

9. Think outside the box! OSHA mandates training, initial and renewal. How you do it is up to you. Check with some old-timers about how they did things “in the day.” Make your own videos or handouts. Be creative and get input from safety teams. Where can you beg, borrow or steal?

10. Announce your needs. Let everyone in the plant know you’re looking for safety-related materials. I’ve received a lot of good safety ideas when an engineer, marketing manager or other non-production department shared something from their periodicals or gave me something from seminars they’ve attended.

Conclusion

My last tip is an obvious one for SafetyXChange readers: Go on-line. SafetyXChange.org is just one of many resources. Don’t be afraid to borrow ideas – after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Just remember to always ask (if you’re using copyrighted materials), acknowledge and thank your source. Please feel free to use any of my ideas. And if you have any to add, please post a note below.

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