Sometimes managers convey the idea that certainly the health if not the safety of employees should be up to the workers. "I'm not here to babysit these folks," a manager may grumble.

When infractions of safety rules result in injuries at the workplace followed by heavy fines and rising workers' comp rates, the same manager may shrug and say, "Just a cost of doing business."

Fortunately, many managers and business owners understand that company morale is as important as clientele in enhancing bottom line performance.

Follow the rules of OSHA, heed state laws and regulations willingly, give safety a high priority, cooperate with occupational medicine physicians and other care providers to help injured employees return to work, show by your example that safety matters, and your employees will work harder, stay with you longer, and feel better about their jobs.