On a trip to California, I was flipping through an airline magazine. I happened upon an advertisement about older movies that are now available on DVD. One specific movie title caught my eye, and the plot made me think about its relevance to today's work environment.

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	Better working conditions mean higher employee morale.

In 1976, Paramount Pictures released a movie starring academy award winners Dustin Hoffman and Sir Laurence Olivier. The name of the movie is Marathon Man. In this movie, Olivier plays a rather nasty antagonist with a penchant for practicing root canal dentistry without the use of Novocain in order to extract information. Hoffman was the victim of this torture in one of the most memorable and horrific scenes in cinematic history. Hoffman was held down while Olivier drilled away without mercy, and then Olivier would stop and calmly ask, ''Is it safe?'' I have never forgotten that movie, and decades later will always remember those three words: ''Is it safe?''

Flash forward to today, to the real world and all of its daily tasks. The lessons we learn in real life are much harder because, unlike in a fictional film, we must actually deal with the repercussions of our decisions. Owners of companies know this reality all too well. One single decision can mean the difference between growing your company to the next level or going out of business. The creation of a safe working environment for employees is one particular area in which decisions are critically important.

I am always amazed at the amount of effort a company will put into the creation of a company handbook even as they ignore safety in the workplace. So stop for a moment and take a long look at your company. What do you see? Do you feel like everything is in order? Do you have all the safety plans, training, and knowledge in place that you should? And if you do have plans already, are they all up to date? In short, the most important question of all about your company and your work environment is that infamous one from Marathon Man: Is it safe?

As the owner of your company, you alone are required to have the necessary policies and procedures in place when necessary. Do you know the benchmarks, under OSHA standards, that drive some of these critical rules and regulations?

Here are a few OSHA standards you should consider: Emergency Action Plans, Emergency Evacuation Plans, Fire Prevention Plans, Lock Out Tag Out Procedures, MSDS Sheets, and Power Industrial Truck (forklifts) safety training. Chances are your company is required to have some if not all of these in place right now. The specifics of your formal plans and documents depend on the number of employees you have, the industry you are in, and the facilities you operate. Are you aware of the three key components necessary to ensure your company’s compliance? If you are not sure of the safety-related policies and procedures you need to have in place, seek guidance from someone who knows.

Patrick VanTyle is the founder of VanTyle Business Solutions, Inc., a business advisory firm located in Sharon, Massachusetts.

Far too often, safety and the creation of a safe work environment are a low priority within a company. Procrastinating in the area of safety, however, is very dangerous. Ignoring these rules and regulations can lead to unsafe working conditions, a catastrophic accident, and the possible loss of life on your premises. Most companies fail to realize the benefits of compliance with these regulations. For example, better working conditions mean higher employee morale. A great way of looking at safety and training is as a positive investment in your employees. Attracting and retaining good employees is a top priority on everyone’s list.

In Marathon Man, Hoffman found himself running for his life. Eventually, however, he prevailed over his adversary. When it comes to safety, I have found prevention is best. If you plan, train, and implement a good safety policy, you should never find yourself behind the eight ball. And best of all, you will be able to ask yourself ''Is it safe?'' and your answer will be yes!

About the Author

Patrick VanTyle is the founder of VanTyle Business Solutions, Inc., a business advisory firm located in Sharon, Massachusetts. VanTyle Business Solutions, Inc. provides business owners with practical advice and services that work. Through strategic business solutions, your company will become more viable and profitable, improving both your business and personal lives. As our company motto states, ''Solutions are key to success.''

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